Sperm wars and the evolution of male fertility

Reproduction, Год журнала: 2012, Номер 144(5), С. 519 - 534

Опубликована: Сен. 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.

Язык: Английский

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Female promiscuity promotes the evolution of faster sperm in cichlid fishes

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Год журнала: 2009, Номер 106(4), С. 1128 - 1132

Опубликована: Янв. 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)

Язык: Английский

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Sperm morphology and sperm velocity in passerine birds

Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Год журнала: 2008, Номер 276(1659), С. 1175 - 1181

Опубликована: Дек. 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.

Язык: Английский

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Sperm competition: linking form to function

BMC Evolutionary Biology, Год журнала: 2008, Номер 8(1), С. 319 - 319

Опубликована: Янв. 1, 2008

Using information from physics, biomechanics and evolutionary biology, we explore the implications of physical constraints on sperm performance, review empirical evidence for links between length competition (where two or more males compete to fertilize a female's eggs). A common theme in literature is that selection increased performance polyandrous species will favour evolution longer, therefore faster swimming, sperm. This argument based assumption swimming velocity directly related length, due thrust produced by longer flagella.We critically evaluate morphology speed, draw cross-disciplinary studies show rarely be satisfied microscopic world which operate.We unlikely driven relative lengths sperm's constituent parts, rather than their absolute lengths, are likely target selection. All else being equal, suggest simple measure ratio head tail should used assess possible link speed. However, this most case external fertilizers females have relatively limited opportunity influence motility.

Язык: Английский

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Sperm competition and the evolution of sperm design in mammals

BMC Evolutionary Biology, Год журнала: 2011, Номер 11(1)

Опубликована: Янв. 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.

Язык: Английский

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Sexual selection and the evolution of sperm quality

Molecular Human Reproduction, Год журнала: 2014, Номер 20(12), С. 1180 - 1189

Опубликована: Окт. 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

Язык: Английский

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Nuclear morphologies: their diversity and functional relevance

Chromosoma, Год журнала: 2016, Номер 126(2), С. 195 - 212

Опубликована: Сен. 8, 2016

Studies of chromosome and genome biology often focus on condensed chromatin in the form chromosomes neglect non-dividing cells. Even when interphase nuclei are considered, they then treated as interchangeable round objects. However, different cell types can have very nuclear shapes, these shapes impacts cellular function; indeed, many pathologies linked with alterations to shape. In this review, we describe some morphologies beyond spherical ovoid. Many leukocytes immune system lobed nuclei, which aid their flexibility migration; smooth muscle cells a spindle shaped nucleus, must deform during contractions; spermatozoa highly adopt varied potentially associated swimming efficiency. Nuclei not passive passengers within cell. There clear effects shape transcriptional activity Recent work has shown that regulation gene expression be influenced by morphology, drastically remodel differentiation. The link between nucleoskeleton cytoskeleton at envelope provides mechanism for transmission mechanical forces into directly affecting compaction organisation.

Язык: 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, Год журнала: 2009, Номер 63(9), С. 2466 - 2473

Опубликована: Апрель 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.

Язык: Английский

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Competition drives cooperation among closely related sperm of deer mice

Nature, Год журнала: 2010, Номер 463(7282), С. 801 - 803

Опубликована: Янв. 20, 2010

Язык: Английский

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Sperm Swimming Velocity Predicts Competitive Fertilization Success in the Green Swordtail Xiphophorus helleri

PLoS ONE, Год журнала: 2010, Номер 5(8), С. e12146 - e12146

Опубликована: Авг. 13, 2010

Sperm competition is expected to favour the evolution of traits that influence performance sperm when they compete fertilize a female's eggs. While there considerable evidence selection favours increases in numbers, much less known about how quality contributes towards competitive fertilization success. Here, we determine whether variation influences success green swordtail Xiphophorus helleri, highly promiscuous livebearing fish. We use artificial insemination as method controlled delivery and show swimming velocity primary determinant ejaculates from two males By contrast, found no length had any effect on siring also pre- postcopulatory sexual were phenotypically integrated this species, suggesting previous observation reproductive skew with high mating rates unlikely be due direct association between male ornamentation.

Язык: Английский

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