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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Female promiscuity promotes the evolution of faster sperm in cichlid fishes

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Journal Year: 2009, Volume and Issue: 106(4), P. 1128 - 1132

Published: Jan. 22, 2009

Sperm competition, the contest among ejaculates from rival males to fertilize ova of a female, is common and powerful evolutionary force influencing ejaculate traits. During competitive interactions between ejaculates, longer faster spermatozoa are expected have an edge; however, date, there has been mixed support for this key prediction sperm competition theory. Here, we use spectacular radiation cichlid fishes Lake Tanganyika examine characteristics in 29 closely related species. We provide phylogenetically robust evidence that species experiencing greater levels faster-swimming sperm. also show selects increases number, size, longevity male, and, contrary expectations theory, find no trade-offs traits interspecific analysis. Also, swimming speed positively correlated with length among, but not within, These different responses at intra- simple, explanation equivocal results previous studies. Using phylogenetic analyses, reconstructed probable route trait evolution taxon, that, response magnitude clade began (thus, more competitive)

Language: Английский

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Sperm morphology and sperm velocity in passerine birds

Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Journal Year: 2008, Volume and Issue: 276(1659), P. 1175 - 1181

Published: Dec. 23, 2008

Sperm velocity is one of the main determinants outcome sperm competition. Since vary considerably in their morphology between and within species, it seems likely that associated with velocity. Theory predicts may be increased by enlarged midpiece (energetic component) or flagellum length (kinetic component), particular ratios components, such as head size. However, associations have rarely been found empirical studies. In a comparative framework passerine birds, we tested these theoretical predictions both across wide range species single family, New World blackbirds (Icteridae). study groups, was influenced predicted direction. Consistent models, results show selection on are to concomitant evolutionary forces.

Language: Английский

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Sperm competition and the evolution of sperm design in mammals

BMC Evolutionary Biology, Journal Year: 2011, Volume and Issue: 11(1)

Published: Jan. 13, 2011

Abstract Background The influence of sperm competition upon size has been a controversial issue during the last 20 years which remains unresolved for mammals. hypothesis that, when ejaculates compete with rival males, an increase in would make more competitive because it swimming speed, generated contradictory results from both theoretical and empirical studies. In addition, debate extended to components should size: midpiece accommodate mitochondria produce energy fuel motility, or principal piece generate greater propulsion forces. Results this study we examined design mammals using much larger data set (226 species) than previous analyses, corrected phylogenetic effects by complete resolved phylogeny, robust control methods. Our show as increases, all integrated manner heads become elongated. length was found be associated enhanced velocity, adaptive trait under competition. Conclusions We conclude that played important role evolution mammals, discuss why studies have failed detect it.

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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Sperm number and velocity affect sperm competition success in the guppy (Poecilia reticulata)

Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, Journal Year: 2010, Volume and Issue: 65(4), P. 813 - 821

Published: Oct. 21, 2010

Language: Английский

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COMPARATIVE EVIDENCE FOR THE EVOLUTION OF SPERM SWIMMING SPEED BY SPERM COMPETITION AND FEMALE SPERM STORAGE DURATION IN PASSERINE BIRDS

Evolution, Journal Year: 2009, Volume and Issue: 63(9), P. 2466 - 2473

Published: April 30, 2009

Sperm swimming speed is an important determinant of male fertility and sperm competitiveness. Despite its fundamental biological importance, the underlying evolutionary processes affecting this reproductive trait are poorly understood. Using a comparative approach in phylogenetic framework, we tested predictions that swim faster with (1) increased risk competition, (2) shorter duration female storage, (3) length. We recorded 42 North American European free-living passerine bird species, representing 35 genera 16 families. found was positively related to frequency extrapair paternity (a proxy for competition) negatively associated clutch size storage). unrelated length, although length also paternity. These results suggest not closely traits evolve independently response competition birds. Our findings emphasize significance both storage as forces driving speed.

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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Evolution of intra-ejaculate sperm interactions: do sperm cooperate?

Biological reviews/Biological reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society, Journal Year: 2010, Volume and Issue: 86(1), P. 249 - 270

Published: July 1, 2010

Sperm are often considered to be individuals, in part because of their unique genetic identities produced as a result synapsis during meiosis, and due ecology, being ejected away from the soma continue existence foreign environment. Selection at level individual sperm has been suggested explain evolution two enigmatic phenotypes: heteromorphism, where more than one type is by male, conjugation, multiple join together for motility transport through female reproductive tract before dissociation prior fertilization. In heteromorphic species, only morphs typically participates fertilization, with non-fertilizing “parasperm” interpreted altruists. Likewise, species high levels mortality have required conjugate break-up this evidence kin-selected altruism. However, it unclear if possess heritable variation fitness (i.e. individuals) cooperation. We investigate question individuality focusing on how morphology determined conjugates formed. Concentrating we discuss functional hypotheses evolutionary maintenance remarkable trait. Additionally, speculate potential origins heteromorphism explore diversification losses these traits once they arisen lineage. find current insufficient support concept control over form or function. Thus, without additional haploid selection phenotypes that reflect genome differences fitness), conjugation should not cooperation but rather selected much like other ejaculatory such accessory gland proteins ejaculate size.

Language: Английский

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How sperm competition shapes the evolution of testes and sperm: a meta-analysis

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 375(1813), P. 20200064 - 20200064

Published: Oct. 18, 2020

Females of many species mate with multiple males, thereby inciting competition among ejaculates from rival males for fertilization. In response to increasing sperm competition, are predicted enhance their investment in production. This prediction is so widespread that testes size (correcting body size) commonly used as a proxy even the absence any other information about species' reproductive behaviour. By contrast, debate whether selects smaller or larger has persisted nearly three decades, empirical studies demonstrating every possible response. Here, we synthesize 40 years research meta-analytical framework determine how evolution number (i.e. and head, midpiece, flagellum total length) influenced by varying levels across species. Our findings support long-held assumption higher associated relatively testes. We also find clear evidence increases all components length. discuss these results context different theoretical predictions general patterns breeding biology selective environment sperm. article part theme issue ‘Fifty competition’.

Language: Английский

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