Transcriptome analysis of germ cell changes in male Chinese mitten crabs (Eriocheir sinensis) induced by rhizocephalan parasite, Polyascus gregaria

The parasitism by Polyascus gregaria on Eriocheir sinensis induces feminization of the appearance male crabs, misleading fishermen to bring them breeding ponds as female crabs cultivate broodstock selection. However, there are few studies whether P. feminizes germ cells, resulting in a decline fecundity crabs. Therefore, this study aims clarify changes gene expression levels crab testes after being parasitized through transcriptome sequencing evaluate change fecundity. We selected and healthy from pond culture for comparison cells. results showed that, compared with were 104 genes significantly different expressions, which 79 up-regulated 25 down-regulated. These mainly focused cytoskeleton pathway cell components cellular protein complex assembly biological processes. Several spermatogenesis-related genes, such Kazal-type protease inhibitor, inhibits gelatinolytic activities sperm proteases, juvenile hormone esterase 6, degrades methyl farnesoate, up-regulated; while down-regulated certain heat shock proteins may lead spermatogenic dysfunction. In addition, some immune-related double whey acidic domain-containing serine proteinase inhibitor 3, up-regulated. indicated that changed development process structure host cells inhibit proliferation maturation, multiple immune pathways hosts activated resist invasion.