Sperm wars and the evolution of male fertility

Reproduction, Journal Year: 2012, Volume and Issue: 144(5), P. 519 - 534

Published: Sept. 15, 2012

Females frequently mate with several males, whose sperm then compete to fertilize available ova. Sperm competition represents a potent selective force that is expected shape male expenditure on the ejaculate. Here, we review empirical data illustrate evolutionary consequences of competition. favors evolution increased testes size and production. In some species, males appear capable adjusting number ejaculated, depending perceived levels Selection also act form function, although evidence for this remains equivocal. Comparative studies suggest length swimming speed may increase in response selection from However, mechanisms driving pattern remain unclear. Evidence influences mixed fertilization trials performed across broad range species demonstrate inconsistent relationships between function. This ambiguity part reflect important role seminal fluid proteins (sfps) play affecting There good sfps are subject competition, recent work pointing an ability adjust their chemistry rival males. We argue future research must consider components ejaculate as functional unity. Research at genomic level will identify genes ultimately control fertility.

Language: Английский

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Sexual selection and the evolution of sperm quality

Molecular Human Reproduction, Journal Year: 2014, Volume and Issue: 20(12), P. 1180 - 1189

Published: Oct. 16, 2014

Sperm experience intense and varied selection that dramatically impacts the evolution of sperm quality. Selection acts to ensure are fertilization-competent able overcome many challenges experienced on their way towards eggs. However, simply being fertilize an egg is not enough male fertility in most species. Owing prevalence female multiple mating throughout animal kingdom, successful fertilization requires outcompete rival sperm. In addition, females can actively influence quality, storage or utilization fertility. This review provides overview how these selective forces After exploring link between traits fertility, we examine post-mating competition ejaculates influences We then describe complex genetic, social sexual interactions focusing importance seminal fluid female's reproductive tract. light complexities traits, greater use multivariate approaches incorporate male–male, sperm–sperm sperm–female study quality will enhance our understanding factors influencing Because metric success—fertilization—is same across argue information about gained from non-human animals has enormous potential further impact human

Language: Английский

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Cryptic female preference for genetically unrelated males is mediated by ovarian fluid in the guppy

Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Journal Year: 2011, Volume and Issue: 278(1717), P. 2495 - 2501

Published: Jan. 12, 2011

As inbreeding is costly, it has been suggested that polyandry may evolve as a means to reduce the negative fitness consequences of mating with genetically related males. While several studies provide support for this hypothesis, evidence pure post-copulatory mechanisms capable biasing paternity towards unrelated males still lacking; yet these are necessary avoidance models evolution. Here we showed, by artificially inseminating group female guppies an equal number sperm from (full-sib) and males, competition success former was 10 per cent lower, on average, than male. The bias not due differential embryo survival, size brood produced control females, which were inseminated single male, influenced their relatedness Finally, collected ovarian fluid (OF) virgin females. Using computer-assisted analysis, found velocity, predictor in guppy, significantly lower when measured solution containing OF sister compared female. Our results suggest sperm–OF interaction mediates mates highlight role reducing cost relatives polyandrous

Language: Английский

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How Multivariate Ejaculate Traits Determine Competitive Fertilization Success in Drosophila melanogaster

Current Biology, Journal Year: 2012, Volume and Issue: 22(18), P. 1667 - 1672

Published: July 26, 2012

Language: Английский

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Do male secondary sexual characters signal ejaculate quality? A meta‐analysis

Biological reviews/Biological reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society, Journal Year: 2013, Volume and Issue: 88(3), P. 669 - 682

Published: Feb. 4, 2013

There are two reasons why researchers interested in the phenotypic relationship between expression of male secondary sexual characters (SSCs) and 'ejaculate quality' (defined as sperm/ejaculate traits that widely assumed to increase female fertility and/or sperm competitiveness). First, if is positive then females could gain a direct benefit by choosing more attractive males for assurance ('the phenotype-linked fertility' hypothesis). Second, there much interest direction correlation favoured pre-copulatory selection (i.e. affecting mating success) those post-copulatory increasing If negative this lead forms counteracting each other. Theory predicts be either or depending on underlying genetic variance covariance trait, extent variation among condition (resources available allocate reproductive traits), cost rate mating. We conducted meta-analysis determine average behavioural morphological four assays ejaculate quality (sperm number, viability, swimming speed size). Regardless how data were partitioned mean was consistently positive, but always statistically non-significant. The only exception character weakly significantly positively correlated with viability (r = 0.07, P < 0.05). no significant difference strength SSCs, nor relationships using assays. implications our findings discussed.

Language: Английский

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Long sperm fertilize more eggs in a bird

Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Journal Year: 2014, Volume and Issue: 282(1799), P. 20141897 - 20141897

Published: Dec. 15, 2014

Sperm competition, in which the ejaculates of multiple males compete to fertilize a female's ova, results strong selection on sperm traits. Although size and swimming velocity are known independently affect fertilization success certain species, exploring relationship between length, still remains challenge. Here, we use zebra finch ( Taeniopygia guttata ), where influences velocity, determine effect total length success. competition experiments, pairs whose differed only speed, revealed that producing long were more successful terms (i) number reaching ova (ii) fertilizing those ova. Our reveal although is main factor determining outcome complex interactions male female reproductive traits may also be important. The mechanisms underlying these poorly understood, but suggest differences storage utilization by females contribute competition.

Language: Английский

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Sub-acute exposure of male guppies (Poecilia reticulata) to environmentally relevant concentrations of PFOA and GenX induces significant changes in the testis transcriptome and reproductive traits

Environment International, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 187, P. 108703 - 108703

Published: April 26, 2024

Poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are frequently detected in the environment linked to adverse reproductive health outcomes humans. Although legacy PFAS have been phased out due their toxicity, alternative increasingly used despite fact that information on toxic effects traits is particularly scarce. Here, we exposed male guppies (Poecilia reticulata) for a short period (21 days) an environmentally realistic concentration (1 ppb) of PFOA, PFAS, its replacement compound, GenX, assess impact gene expression. Exposure did not impair survival but instead caused sublethal effects. Overall, exposure changes sexual behaviour had detrimental sperm motility. Sublethal variations were also seen at transcriptional level, with modulation genes involved immune regulation, spermatogenesis, oxidative stress. We observed bioaccumulation which was higher PFOA than GenX. Our results offer comprehensive comparison these two shed light toxicity newly emerging PFAS. It therefore evident even low concentrations exposure, can subtle yet significant behaviour, fertility, immunity. These findings underscore potential ramifications pollution under natural conditions fish populations.

Language: Английский

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RAPID DIVERSIFICATION OF SPERM PRECEDENCE TRAITS AND PROCESSES AMONG THREE SIBLINGDROSOPHILASPECIES

Evolution, Journal Year: 2013, Volume and Issue: 67(8), P. 2348 - 2362

Published: April 1, 2013

Postcopulatory sexual selection is credited with driving rapid evolutionary diversification of reproductive traits and the formation isolating barriers between species. This judgment, however, has largely been inferred rather than demonstrated due to general lack knowledge about processes underlying variation in competitive fertilization success. Here, we resolved determining sperm fate twice-mated females, using transgenic Drosophila simulans mauritiana populations fluorescently labeled heads. Comparisons among these two species melanogaster revealed a shared motif mechanisms precedence, postcopulatory potentially occurring during any three discrete stages: (1) insemination; (2) storage; (3) use for fertilization, involving four distinct phenomena: transfer; displacement; ejection; (4) fertilizations. Yet, qualitative similarities were significant quantitative differences nearly every relevant character process. We evaluate light concurrent investigations within-population success postmating/prezygotic isolation hybrid matings forge an understanding relationship microevolutionary macroevolutionary patterns as pertains this group.

Language: Английский

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Integrating evolution in the management of captive zoo populations

Evolutionary Applications, Journal Year: 2015, Volume and Issue: 8(5), P. 413 - 422

Published: March 10, 2015

Abstract Both natural animal populations and those in captivity are subject to evolutionary forces. Evolutionary changes captive may be an important, but poorly understood, factor that can affect the sustainability of these populations. The importance maintaining integrity zoo populations, especially used for conservation efforts including reintroductions, is critical biodiversity. Here, we propose a greater appreciation perspective offer important insights enhance reproductive success health We provide four examples associated strategies highlight this approach, minimizing domestication (i.e., genetic adaptation captivity), integrating mating systems into breeding protocols, effects translocation on variation photoperiodism, understanding interplay parasites/pathogens inflammation. There myriad other issues conclude often species specific. Nonetheless, mitigate some challenges currently facing from perspective, their sustainability.

Language: Английский

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The effects of elevated temperature on the sexual traits, immunology and survivorship of a tropical ectotherm

Journal of Experimental Biology, Journal Year: 2013, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Jan. 1, 2013

Summary In 2007, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change projected an average global air temperature increase of 1.1-6.4°C by end 21st century. Although tropics are predicted to experience less extreme increases than regions higher latitude, tropical ectotherms live close their thermal limits, and thus particularly vulnerable in temperature. this study, we examined how patterns warming will affect survival sexual traits Trinidadian guppy (Poecilia reticulata). Guppies were exposed from birth one four treatments: 23°C, 25°C (control), 28°C, or 30°C. We measured brood at maturity, male ornamentation, sperm traits, immune response. Our results show that result guppies have shorter, slower but there is optimum for ornamental hue 28°C. Given importance quality reproduction, these suggest population viability could be affected warming. However, found no difference response a novel antigen across treatments, indicating may not as previously thought. Overall, our data particular performance, more sensitive environment.

Language: Английский

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