The role of female reproductive fluid in sperm competition

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 375(1813), P. 20200077 - 20200077

Published: Oct. 18, 2020

The role of non-gametic components the ejaculate (seminal fluid) in fertility and sperm competitiveness is now well established. Surprisingly, however, we know far less about female reproductive fluid (FRF) context sexual selection, insights into male–FRF interactions competition have only recently emerged. Despite this limited knowledge, evidence from taxonomically diverse species has revealed effects FRF on traits that previously been implicated studies competition. Specifically, through differential a range traits, including chemoattraction alterations velocity, shown to exert positive phenotypic males are preferred as mating partners, or those most compatible genetically males. these tantalizing putative sexually selected functions FRF, largely lack mechanistic understanding processes. Taken together, presented here highlights likely ubiquity FRF-regulated biases fertilization success across taxa, thus potentially elevating importance other so studied This article part theme issue ‘Fifty years competition'.

Language: Английский

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The coevolutionary dynamics of cryptic female choice

Evolution Letters, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 7(4), P. 191 - 202

Published: June 7, 2023

In contrast to sexual selection on traits that affect interactions between the sexes before mating, little theoretical research has focused coevolution of postmating via cryptic female choice (when females bias fertilization toward specific males). We used simulation models ask (a) whether and, if so, how nondirectional (female-by-male in success) causes deviations from focus exclusively male-mediated processes, and (b) risk sperm competition, strength choice, tradeoffs number interact influence coevolutionary dynamics traits. found incorporating can result males investing much less their ejaculates than predicted by with competition only. also resulted evolution genetic correlations traits, even when was weak, low. This suggests may be important systems low multiple mating. These increased as increased. When high, extreme codivergence preference occurred trait traded off number. male lagged behind traits; this lag decreased increasing competition. Overall, our results suggest deserves more attention theoretically driving ways just beginning explored.

Language: Английский

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Age-dependent decline in sperm quality and function in a naturally short-lived vertebrate

BMC Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 25(1)

Published: Jan. 6, 2025

Abstract Maximizing the life-long reproductive output would lead to prediction that short-lived and fast aging species undergo no – if any senescence. Turquoise killifish ( Nothobranchius furzeri ) are naturally teleosts, extensive somatic aging, characterized by molecular, cellular, organ dysfunction following onset of sexual maturation. Here, we tested whether male turquoise maximize reproduction display minimal any, We analysed age-related changes in sperm traits, proportion fertilized eggs, as well embryo survival. Contrary expectation found males consisting age-dependent decline quality, decreased eggs lower Our results indicate do not trade-off soma with sustained fitness. Instead, appear occur simultaneously. findings question generalized vs. senescence models highlight importance integrating species-specific ecological demographic constraints explain observed life history traits.

Language: Английский

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Silent cells? Potential for context-dependent gene expression in mature sperm

Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 292(2038)

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

Sperm are traditionally viewed as transcriptionally and translationally silent cells. However, observations that components of the cellular machinery gene expression maintained in ejaculated sperm increasingly cited challenges to this fundamental assumption. Here, we critically evaluate these arguments present three lines evidence from both model non-model systems collectively raise question whether may be capable active expression. First, critical for surrounding possibility differential expression, review recent spermatozoa retain capacity transcribe translate their genomes. Second, highlight how cells can exhibit transcript quantities across different post-ejaculation environments. Third, ask accumulating remarkable phenotypic plasticity post-ejaculatory phenotypes could mechanistically underpinned by changes While indirect do not definitively show transcription genomes, emerging technologies enable us test hypothesis explicitly. Our advocates progress field highlights several important evolutionary, ecological practical implications will probably transcend disciplines clinical applied reproductive sectors.

Language: Английский

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Low doses and lifecycle exposure of waterborne antidepressants in zebrafish model: A survey on sperm traits, reproductive behaviours, and transcriptome responses

The Science of The Total Environment, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 832, P. 155017 - 155017

Published: April 5, 2022

Language: Английский

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Male sperm storage impairs sperm quality in the zebrafish

Scientific Reports, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 11(1)

Published: Aug. 17, 2021

Abstract Variation in sperm traits is widely documented both at inter- and intraspecific level. However, vary also between ejaculates of the same male, due for example, to fluctuations female availability. Variability opportunities mate can indeed have important consequences traits, as it determines how often are used, thus rate which they produced long stored before mating. While being within males’ bodies, subjected ageing oxidative stress. Sperm storage may significantly impair quality, but evidence linking male variation still scarce. Here, we tested effect duration on within-male zebrafish, Danio rerio . We found that without mating opportunities, number increased increased, indicating continue be accumulate over time males discharged another way. Long (12 days) was associated with an overall impairment namely motility, longevity, DNA fragmentation, aged, their quality declined during storage. Our results confirm generate substantial phenotype, a source usually neglected should accounted experimental protocols aiming assay or maximise fertilization success.

Language: Английский

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Female reproductive fluids ‘rescue’ sperm from phenotypic ageing in an external fertilizer

Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 290(1999)

Published: May 24, 2023

Female reproductive fluids (FRFs) serve key functions in sexually reproducing animals, including modifying the way sperm swim and detect eggs, influencing lifespan. Despite central role of FRF during fertilization, we know surprisingly little about sperm–FRF interactions under different environmental conditions. Theory suggests that external fertilizers may ‘rescue’ from ageing effects as they search to fertilize eggs. Here, test interaction between these two fundamental properties fertilization environment, ejaculate age (i.e. time since ejaculation) FRF, on a range functional phenotypes broadcast spawning mussel, Mytilus galloprovincialis . We found multivariate motility traits total were altered by longer-lived exhibit stronger, likely more advantageous, responses after periods ageing. also detected significant among-male variation relationship age; notably, patterns only revealed when encountered FRF. Collectively findings underscore importance considering female physiology interpreting ageing-related declines motility, doing so expose sources phenotypic plasticity among males environments.

Language: Английский

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Female reproductive fluid attracts more and better sperm: implications for within-ejaculate cryptic female choice

Biology Letters, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 19(6)

Published: June 1, 2023

Mounting evidence shows that the female reproductive fluid (FRF) can differently affect sperm performance of different males by biasing paternity share among competing males. Here, we tested for first time potential ‘within-ejaculate cryptic choice’ mediated FRF in zebrafish ( Danio rerio ). Using a recently developed selection chamber, separated and collected FRF-selected from non-selected to compare two subpopulations terms number, viability, DNA integrity fertilizing ability. We showed attracted are more numerous, viable with higher integrity. In addition, fertilized eggs, but if this is due fertilization ability per se or numerical advantage remains be tested. Our results suggest select better phenotype, highlighting crucial impactful role might play process post-mating sexual dynamics, along implications assisted techniques.

Language: Английский

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Self-adaptive and efficient propulsion of Ray sperms at different viscosities enabled by heterogeneous dual helixes

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 118(23)

Published: June 4, 2021

Significance For decades, the propulsion of sperms has been traditionally attributed to beating or rotating soft tails. However, this work disclosed an unusual swimming model Ray whose is from not only helical tail but also unique spiral head (i.e., can contribute ∼31% force in propulsion). Such a mechanism provides with high adaptability large environmental viscosities along advantages linearity, straightness, and efficiency. This study expands our knowledge on microorganisms’ motion inspirations for engineering design.

Language: Английский

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Evolutionary consequences of environmental effects on gamete performance

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 376(1826), P. 20200122 - 20200122

Published: April 17, 2021

Variation in pre- and post-release gamete environments can influence evolutionary processes by altering fertilization outcomes offspring traits. It is now widely accepted that inherit epigenetic information from both their mothers fathers. Genetic alterations to eggs sperm-acquired may also persist post-fertilization with consequences for developmental success later-life fitness. In externally fertilizing species, gametes are directly exposed anthropogenically induced environmental impacts including pollution, ocean acidification climate change. When occurs within the female reproductive tract, although at least partially protected external variation, selective environment likely vary among females. scenarios, traits selection on be influenced conditions such as temperature pollution well intrinsic factors male fluids, which altered changes health physiology. Here, we highlight some of pathways through affect dynamics, interactions ultimately We hope drawing attention this important yet often overlooked source will inspire future research into implications anthropogenic interference use assisted technologies. This article part theme issue 'How does epigenetics course evolution?'

Language: Английский

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