Identification of the Genes daf-12, sdc-2, and sex-1 Associated with Sexual Differentiation of Haemonchus contortus

Haemonchus contortus (H. contortus) is a gastrointestinal parasite that affects small ruminants, causing anemia, edema, and, in severe cases, death, posing a significant threat to livestock production. This study focused on analyzing the parasite’s sexual differentiation to identify potential molecular targets for the development of control strategies. The genes daf-12, fem-1, and sdc-2 were evaluated based on their orthologs in Caenorhabditis elegans. Specific primers were designed, and nucleic acids were extracted from L3 larvae and adult male and female H. contortus. Gene presence and expression were analyzed using PCR and RT-PCR, along with protein structure modeling and phylogenetic analysis. Results showed differential gene expression depending on life stage and sex: daf-12 was highly expressed in L3 larvae, indicating its involvement in early development; fem-1 showed higher expression in males, suggesting a role in male sexual differentiation; while sdc-2 was more expressed in females, implying a function in regulating female characteristics. These findings provide key insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying sexual differentiation in H. contortus, which could contribute to the development of novel control tools and help mitigate the economic losses caused by this parasite in livestock production.