Evaluation of season and sex specific differential gonadal transcriptomics in Himalayan snow trout Schizothorax plagiostomus, Heckel, 1838

Despite its wide presence in cold-water bodies of central Asian mountains, Schizothorax plagiostomus is highly neglected Himalayan ichthyofauna. Here we have performed de novo RNA-sequencing in adult S. plagiostomus gonads captured from natural habitat of Garhwal Himalaya [during three distinct maturational stages (pre-spawning, spawning and post-spawning) for both sexes] and compared the season and sex specific differential transcriptomic profiles. Functional analyses of KEGG pathway and GO enrichment demonstrated augmentation in cellular signaling for multiple growth factors, chemokines, cytokines, exosomes and vascular patterning in pre-spawning gonads, rise in t-RNA biosynthesis, chaperone cofactor dependent protein refolding, steroidogenic and calcium signaling network at spawning time, whereas elevated proteolysis, autophagy and apoptotic pathways were prevalent during regressing stages. Among differentially expressed genes (DEGs) distinct sexual dimorphic pattern of male specific Dmrt1, Sox18, Amh, Wt1, GDNF receptor α and female specific Foxl2, Gdf9, Zar1,Cyp19a1a, Wntless were observed.Collectively, this is the first comprehensive gonadal atlas of season dependent developmental transcriptome with respective gametogenic output in any Schizothoracine species. This data will potentially serve as a vital resource for future programs in conservation management and artificial breeding of schizothoracine fishes.