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

---

Forgotten fathers: paternal influences on mammalian sex allocation

Trends in Ecology & Evolution, Journal Year: 2014, Volume and Issue: 29(3), P. 158 - 164

Published: Jan. 2, 2014

Language: Английский

---

Altitude underlies variation in the mating system, somatic condition, and investment in reproductive traits in male Asian grass frogs (Fejervarya limnocharis)

Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, Journal Year: 2016, Volume and Issue: 70(8), P. 1197 - 1208

Published: April 30, 2016

Language: Английский

---

Environmentally induced (co)variance in sperm and offspring phenotypes as a source of epigenetic effects

Journal of Experimental Biology, Journal Year: 2015, Volume and Issue: 218(1), P. 107 - 113

Published: Jan. 1, 2015

Traditionally, it has been assumed that sperm are a vehicle for genes and nothing more. As such, the only source of variance in offspring phenotype via paternal line genetic effects. More recently, however, shown or environment fathers can affect offspring, challenging traditional theory with implications evolution, ecology human vitro fertilisation. Here, I review sources non-genetic variation evidence co-variation between phenotypes. distinguish two environmental phenotype: pre-release post-release environment. Pre-release, phenotypes vary within species according to male (e.g. body size) local conditions such as threat competition. Post-release, physicochemical experience, either when freely spawned released into female reproductive tract, further filter modify find both pre- environments phenotype; fertilisation is not new beginning – rather, experiences father upon release drive offspring. Interestingly, there was some stress resistance though more studies needed determine whether effects widespread. Overall, appears environmentally induced covariation non-negligible work their prevalence strength.

Language: Английский

---

Methodological considerations for examining the relationship between sperm morphology and motility

Molecular Reproduction and Development, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 87(6), P. 633 - 649

Published: May 16, 2020

Abstract Sperm cells of all taxa share a common goal to reach and fertilize an ovum, yet sperm are one the most diverse cell types in nature. While structural diversity these is well recognized, functional significance variation design remains elusive. An important function spermatozoa need migrate toward ova, often over long distances foreign environment, which may include complex hostile female reproductive tract. Several comparative experimental studies have attempted address link between morphology motility, conclusions drawn from inconsistent, even within same taxa. Much what we know about internally fertilizing species has been gleaned vitro studies, for parameters vary among studies. We propose that discordant results part due lack consistency methods, conditions do not replicate those tract, overuse simple linear measures shape. Within this review, provide toolkit imaging, quantifying, analyzing movement patterns discuss emerging approaches. Results linking motility enhance our understanding evolution adaptive traits mechanisms regulate fertility, thus offering new insights into methods used assisted technologies animal science, conservation public health.

Language: Английский

---

Morphology‐function relationships and repeatability in the sperm of Passer sparrows

Journal of Morphology, Journal Year: 2014, Volume and Issue: 276(4), P. 370 - 377

Published: Nov. 26, 2014

ABSTRACT Sperm performance is likely to be an important determinant of male reproductive success, especially when females copulate with multiple males. Understanding sperm therefore crucial fully understand the evolution strategies. In this study, we examined repeatability morphology and motility measures over three breeding seasons, studied relationships between function. We conducted study in wild‐derived captive house sparrows ( Passer domesticus ) Spanish P. hispaniolensis ). Results for two species were similar. As predicted from results other passerine species, total length was highly repeatable across ejaculates, components moderate. The swimming speed ejaculates lower, but statistically significant, suggesting that velocity may a relatively dynamic trait. Surprisingly, did not correlate relative midpiece, it correlated negatively flagellum length. This pattern opposite what theory predicts differs has been found before. Also contrary previous work, no evidence correlates longevity. These highlight need better understanding function birds. J. Morphol. 276:370–377, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Language: Английский

---

Variability in sperm form and function in the context of sperm competition risk in two Tupinambis lizards

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2014, Volume and Issue: 4(21), P. 4080 - 4092

Published: Oct. 7, 2014

Abstract In polyandrous species, sperm morphometry and velocity are under strong sexual selection. Although several hypotheses have been proposed to explain the role of competition in trait variation, this aspect is still poorly understood. It has suggested that an increase pressure could reduce size variation or produce a diversity maximize male fertilization success. We aim at elucidating variability morphometric traits two Tupinambis lizards context risk. Sperm showed substantial all levels examined: between among males within ejaculate individual males. was found be positively correlated with flagellum: midpiece ratio, relatively longer flagella associated faster sperm. Our results document high form function lizards.

Language: Английский

---

Trade-off between carotenoid-based sexual ornamentation and sperm resistance to oxidative challenge

Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Journal Year: 2017, Volume and Issue: 284(1847), P. 20162444 - 20162444

Published: Jan. 25, 2017

It has been hypothesized that carotenoid-based sexual ornamentation signals male fertility and sperm competitive ability as both traits may be co-affected by oxidative stress, resulting in positive covariation (the ‘redox-based phenotype-linked hypothesis’; redox-based PLFH). On the other hand, ‘sperm competition theory’ (SCT) predicts a trade-off between precopulatory postcopulatory traits. Here, we manipulate status (using diquat dibromide) carotenoid availability adult zebra finch ( Taeniopygia guttata ) males order to test whether beak signals, or is traded off against, resistance challenge. Initial colouration, but not its change during experiment, was associated with effect of challenge on velocity, such more intense colouration predicted an increase velocity under control conditions decline This suggests long-term ornament expression Shortening midpiece following further redox homeostasis constrain morphometry. Carotenoid supplementation resulted fewer abnormalities had no Overall, our data PLFH, partially support SCT highlight importance carotenoids for normal morphology.

Language: Английский

---

Strategic adjustment of ejaculate quality in response to variation of the socio-sexual environment

Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 75(6)

Published: May 14, 2021

Language: Английский

---

Age-related changes in sperm traits and evidence for aging costs of sperm production in a sexually promiscuous passerine

Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 11

Published: Feb. 14, 2023

In many animal species, organismal performance declines with age in a process known as aging or senescence. Senescence typically leads to deterioration of physiological functionality and can impact the development primary sexual phenotypes. Sperm production is complex costly that sensitive changes individual state, yet remarkably little about age-related sperm costs production. Here we use non-linear generalized additive mixed models (GAMM) modelling evaluate postcopulatory traits European barn swallow ( Hirundo rustica ), relatively short lived sexually promiscuous passerine where male extra-pair fertilization success has been shown increase age. We confirmed positive relationship between midpiece length velocity this species. Within-male morphology were general absent, only decreasing linearly increasing age, although change was negligible compared overall variation size among males. contrast, cloacal protuberance (CP) changed nonlinearly an initial first third year life followed by plateau. The results further indicate existence trade-off investments survival males large CP tended have reduced lifespan. This seems consistent idea expensive associated post-copulatory

Language: Английский

---