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<p>The evolutionary timing of the origin of secretory proteins underlying post-mating reproductive processes remains uncharacterized in vertebrates. We dated the origin of 2520 human tissue-specific genes encoding secretory proteins across vertebrate evolution, finding that the male reproductive (MR) secretome underwent a dramatic expansion during the eutherian (placental mammal) diversification, experiencing a 6.8-fold gene gain—the largest increase compared to any other secretome or transition in vertebrate evolution. These genes are predominantly expressed in the epididymis, where they protect sperm and drive sperm maturation, influencing essential post-mating reproductive processes and male reproductive outcome. In contrast, MR secretome genes that originated along other evolutionary branches are primarily associated with sperm structure, motility, egg binding, and fusion. These findings provide molecular evidence for a major reconfiguration of male reproductive biology during placental mammal diversification through the MR secretome, affecting primarily the epididymis.</p>

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Male reproductive biology was reshaped during placental mammal diversification through epididymal secretome expansion

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年6月3日

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  • Jose M Ranz,
  • Alberto Civetta

摘要

The evolutionary timing of the origin of secretory proteins underlying post-mating reproductive processes remains uncharacterized in vertebrates. We dated the origin of 2520 human tissue-specific genes encoding secretory proteins across vertebrate evolution, finding that the male reproductive (MR) secretome underwent a dramatic expansion during the eutherian (placental mammal) diversification, experiencing a 6.8-fold gene gain—the largest increase compared to any other secretome or transition in vertebrate evolution. These genes are predominantly expressed in the epididymis, where they protect sperm and drive sperm maturation, influencing essential post-mating reproductive processes and male reproductive outcome. In contrast, MR secretome genes that originated along other evolutionary branches are primarily associated with sperm structure, motility, egg binding, and fusion. These findings provide molecular evidence for a major reconfiguration of male reproductive biology during placental mammal diversification through the MR secretome, affecting primarily the epididymis.