Fig. 1

Dynamic change of methylation and hydroxymethylation levels among ovary, ovotestis, and testis. a Schematic showing cycle of 5mC and 5hmC converted from and to unmodified cytosine by Dnmts, Tet, and replication-dependent passive demethylation or via 5-formylcytosine (5fC) and 5-carboxylcytosine (5caC). b The flow chart of m⁵dC and hm⁵dC analysis using enzyme digestion and LC–ESI–MS/MS. c Chromatograms for detection of 2′-Deoxycytidine (dC), m⁵dC, hm⁵dC from standard sample (top panel) and experimental sample (bottom panel). d Histology of gonadal tissues (ovary, ovotestis, and testis) stained by hematoxylin and eosin. O, ovary; T, testis. Scale bar, 100 µm. e Box plot illustrating the levels (%) of m⁵dC (m⁵dC/dC) among ovary, ovotestis and testis, the mean ± SEM were from more than 3 independent experiments. f Box plot showing the levels (%) of hm⁵dC (hm⁵dC/dC) among ovary, ovotestis and testis, the mean ± SEM were from more than 3 independent experiments, *P < 0.05