Proc Biol Sci
Department of Biology, University of Winnipeg, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada R3B 2E9.
Published: September 2023
Sperm competition is a crucial aspect of male reproductive success in many species, including and seminal fluid proteins (Sfps) can influence sperm competitiveness. However, the combined effect of environmental and genotypic variation on sperm competition gene expression remains poorly understood. Here, we used Genetic Reference Panel (DGRP) inbred lines and manipulated developmental population density (i.e. larval density) to test the effects of genotype, environment and genotype-by-environment interactions (GEI) on the expression of the known sperm competition genes , and . High larval density resulted in reduced adult body size, but expression of sperm competition genes remained unaffected. Furthermore, we found no significant GEI but genotypic effects in the expression of and . Our results also revealed GEI for relative competitive paternity success (second male paternity; P2), with genes' expression positively correlated with P2. Given the effect of genotype on the expression of genes, we conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) and identified polymorphisms in putative -regulatory elements as predominant factors regulating the expression of and . The association of genotypic variation with sperm competition outcomes, and the resilience of sperm competition genes' expression against environmental challenges, demonstrates the importance of genome variation background in reproductive fitness.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2023.1715 | DOI Listing |
Sci Rep
January 2025
Centre for Ecology and Conservation, Faculty of Environment, Science & Economy, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Cornwall, TR10 9FE, UK.
Promiscuous females reduce male reproductive control. Males can attempt to monopolise access to these females, but distractions and sneaky rivals mean extra copulations cannot always be blocked. By mating first, males can obtain a headstart in sperm competition, but this may be negated by sperm storage and cryptic female choice mechanisms.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Comp Physiol A Neuroethol Sens Neural Behav Physiol
January 2025
Laboratorio de Investigaciones Ecoetológicas de Moscas de la Fruta y sus Enemigos Naturales (LIEMEN), División Control Biológico de Plagas, PROIMI-Biotecnología, CONICET, Avenida Belgrano y Pasaje Caseros s/n, San Miguel de Tucumán, Tucumán, 4000, Argentina.
During copulation male insects transfer sperm and seminal fluids, including accessory gland proteins (Acps) to females, produced in the accessory glands (AGs). These Acps influence female behavior and physiology, inhibiting sexual receptivity, promoting ovulation and/or oviposition. The theory of ejaculate allocation postulates that production is costly; therefore, males strategically allocate ejaculates based on perception of sperm competition and quality and availability of females.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFProc Biol Sci
January 2025
Centre for Evolutionary Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Australia.
Sperm are traditionally viewed as transcriptionally and translationally silent cells. However, observations that components of the cellular machinery of gene expression are maintained in ejaculated sperm are increasingly cited as challenges to this fundamental assumption. Here, we critically evaluate these arguments and present three lines of evidence from both model and non-model systems that collectively raise the question of whether ejaculated sperm may be capable of active gene expression.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFbioRxiv
December 2024
Department of Integrative Biology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater OK 74078 USA.
Social circuitry of the mammalian brain can influence male reproductive physiology. This often manifests as plasticity in sperm production or allocation, particularly in response to male-male competition. However, socially mediated testicular plasticity has not been investigated with respect to mating and parental strategy.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Endocr Soc
November 2024
Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, University of Colorado Denver School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045, USA.
"Pseudo-endocrine disorders" refer to proposed conditions that have never been scientifically proven to exist but, due to widespread misinformation available on the internet and other media, are relatively commonly diagnosed and treated with equally unproven and sometimes dangerous treatments. Adrenal fatigue is a nonexistent condition that supposedly results from adrenal exhaustion and atrophy due to chronic stress and has been promoted as a potential explanation for a variety of symptoms. Testing consists of nonvalidated online surveys and salivary cortisol profiles while treatment is not evidence-based at best and can be dangerous.
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