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1,491 results for “sperm”
Data from: Females discriminate against heterospecific sperm in a natural hybrid zone
When hybridization is maladaptive, species-specific mate preferences are selectively favored, but low mate availability may constrain species-assortative pairing. Females paired to heterospecifics may then benefit by copulating with multiple males and subsequently favoring sperm of conspecifics. Whether such mechanisms for biasing paternity toward conspecifics act as important reproductive barriers in socially monogamous vertebrate species remains to be determined. We use a combination of long-term breeding records from a natural hybrid zone between collared and pied flycatchers (Ficedula albicollis and F. hypoleuca), and an in vitro experiment comparing conspecific and heterospecific sperm performance in female reproductive tract fluid, to evaluate the potential significance of female cryptic choice. We show that the females most at risk of hybridizing (pied flycatchers) frequently copulate with multiple males and are able to inhibit heterospecific sperm performance. The negative effect on heterospecific sperm performance was strongest in pied flycatcher females that were most likely to have been previously exposed to collared flycatcher sperm. We thus demonstrate that a reproductive barrier acts after copulation but before fertilization in a socially monogamous vertebrate. While the evolutionary history of this barrier is unknown, our results imply that there is opportunity for it to be accentuated via a reinforcement-like process.
Data from: Phenotypic plasticity in genitalia: baculum shape responds to sperm competition risk in house mice
Males are known to adjust their expenditure on testes growth and sperm production in response to sperm competition risk. Genital morphology can also contribute to competitive fertilisation success but whether male genital morphology can respond plastically to the sperm competition environment has received little attention. Here, we exposed male house mice to two different sperm competition environments during their sexual development and quantified phenotypic plasticity in baculum morphology. The sperm competition environment generated plasticity in body growth. Males maturing under sperm competition risk were larger and heavier than males maturing under no sperm competition risk. We used a landmark-based geometric morphometric approach to measure baculum size and shape. Independent of variation in body size, males maintained under risk of sperm competition had a relatively thicker and more distally extended baculum bulb compared with males maintained under no sperm competition risk. Plasticity in baculum shape paralleled evolutionary responses to selection from sperm competition reported in previous studies of house mice. Our findings provide experimental evidence of socially mediated phenotypic plasticity in male genitalia.
Data from: Female remating decisions and a shorter inter-mating interval diminish last-male sperm precedence
Highly variable within and across species, patterns of sperm use not only are often driven by post-copulatory sexual selection but can also be impacted by experimental design. In investigations of paternity bias using competitive double matings, the inter-mating interval is a temporal factor that can affect sperm use patterns if the first male's sperm is used or lost at an appreciable rate between matings or if its viability or relative competitiveness is influenced by the time since ejaculation. Rapid loss of first-male sperm within the female after mating has been established in the seed beetle (Callosobruchus maculatus), a model system in sperm competition studies. However, our understanding of sperm precedence in this species, which disproportionately favors the last (second) male to mate, is based on long inter-mating intervals. Here, I determine the effect of a shortened inter-mating interval on second-male paternity (P2) and, importantly, the extent to which females in this species are willing to remate immediately. I find that P2 is significantly reduced when females remate immediately than when they remate 24 or 48 h after the first mating and that immediate remating is common, indicating that there is a substantial potential for female remating decisions to influence the intensity of sperm competition within species. To understand the variation in inter-mating intervals from a female perspective, I further identify key differences between females that did and did not remate at three inter-mating intervals (0, 24, and 48 h after the initial mating) and discuss potential mechanisms for the observed variation in female refractoriness.
Data from: Socially cued seminal fluid gene expression mediates responses in ejaculate quality to sperm competition risk
There is considerable evidence that males will increase the number of sperm ejaculated in response to sperm competition risk. However, whether they have the capacity to adjust seminal fluid components of the ejaculate has received less attention. Male crickets (Teleogryllus oceanicus) have been shown to adjust the viability of sperm in their ejaculate in response to sperm competition risk. Here we show that socially mediated plasticity in sperm viability is probably due, at least in part, to male adjustments in the protein composition of the seminal fluid. Seven seminal fluid protein genes were found to have an increased expression in males exposed to rival calls. Increased expression of these genes was correlated with increased sperm viability in whole ejaculates, and gene knockdown confirmed that at least one of these proteins promotes sperm viability. Our results lend support for recent theoretical models that predict complex responses in male allocation to seminal fluid composition in response to sperm competition risk.
The thermal environment of sperm affects offspring success: a test of the anticipatory paternal effects hypothesis in a broadcast spawner
<p>There has been an explosion of recent evidence that environments experienced by fathers or their ejaculates can influence offspring phenotypes (paternal effects). However, little is known about whether such effects are adaptive, which would have far-reaching implications for the many species facing rapidly changing environments. For example, some arguments suggest paternal effects might be a source of cross-generational plasticity, preparing offspring to face similar conditions to their father (anticipatory hypothesis). Alternatively, ejaculate-mediated effects on offspring may be non-adaptive by-products of stress. Here, we conduct an experiment to distinguish between these predictions, exposing ejaculates of the externally fertilizing mussel <i>Mytilus galloprovincialis</i> to ambient (19 °C) and high (24 °C) temperatures, then rearing offspring groups in temperatures that match and mismatch those of sperm. We find that, overall, high-treated sperm induced higher rates of normal offspring development, and higher success in transitioning to second-stage larvae, which may represent adaptive epigenetic changes or selection on sperm haplotypes. However, progeny of high-treated sperm did not perform better than those of ambient-treated sperm when rearing temperatures were high. Overall, these findings offer little support for anticipatory hypothesis and suggest instead that beneficial paternal effects may be eroded when offspring develop under stressful conditions.</p>
Data from: Male body size and condition affects sperm number and production rates in mosquitofish, Gambusia holbrooki
Sperm number is an important predictor of paternity when there is sperm competition. Sperm number is often measured as maximum sperm reserves, but in species where mating is frequent, males will often be replenishing their reserves. Thus, variation in how quickly males can produce sperm is likely to be important in determining male success in sperm competition. Despite this, little is known about how male size, body condition or diet affects sperm production rates. We counted sperm number in large and small Gambusia holbrooki (eastern mosquitofish) after 3 weeks on either a high or low food diet. Sperm number was significantly higher in both larger males and in well-fed males. We then stripped ejaculates again either 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 days later to investigate subsequent sperm production. The rate of sperm replenishment was influenced by an interaction between size and diet. Large, well-fed males had consistently high levels of sperm available over the 5 days (i.e. rapid replenishment), whereas small poorly fed males showed consistently low levels of sperm availability over the 5 days (i.e. slow replenishment). In contrast, large, poorly fed and small, well-fed males increased their sperm numbers over the first 3 days (i.e. intermediate replenishment). Our study highlights that when mating is frequent and sperm competition is high, size and condition dependence of maximal sperm number and of sperm production rate might both contribute to variation in male reproductive success.
Data from: Sperm whales reduce foraging effort during exposure to 1-2 kHz sonar and killer whale sounds
The time and energetic costs of behavioral responses to incidental and experimental sonar exposures, as well as control stimuli, were quantified using hidden state analysis of time series of acoustic and movement data recorded by tags (DTAG) attached to 12 sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) using suction cups. Behavioral state transition modeling showed that tagged whales switched to a non-foraging, non-resting state during both experimental transmissions of low-frequency active sonar from an approaching vessel (LFAS; 1–2 kHz, source level 214 dB re 1 μPa m, four tag records) and playbacks of potential predator (killer whale, Orcinus orca) sounds broadcast at naturally occurring sound levels as a positive control from a drifting boat (five tag records). Time spent in foraging states and the probability of prey capture attempts were reduced during these two types of exposures with little change in overall locomotion activity, suggesting an effect on energy intake with no immediate compensation. Whales switched to the active non-foraging state over received sound pressure levels of 131–165 dB re 1 μPa during LFAS exposure. In contrast, no changes in foraging behavior were detected in response to experimental negative controls (no-sonar ship approach or noise control playback) or to experimental medium-frequency active sonar exposures (MFAS; 6–7 kHz, source level 199 re 1 μPa m, received sound pressure level [SPL] = 73–158 dB re 1 μPa). Similarly, there was no reduction in foraging effort for three whales exposed to incidental, unidentified 4.7–5.1 kHz sonar signals received at lower levels (SPL = 89–133 dB re 1 μPa). These results demonstrate that similar to predation risk, exposure to sonar can affect functional behaviors, and indicate that increased perception of risk with higher source level or lower frequency may modulate how sperm whales respond to anthropogenic sound.
Data from: Sperm competition risk drives rapid ejaculate adjustments mediated by seminal fluid
In many species, males can make rapid adjustments to ejaculate performance in response to sperm competition risk; however, the mechanisms behind these changes are not understood. Here, we manipulate male social status in an externally fertilising fish, chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha), and find that in less than 48 hr, males can upregulate sperm velocity when faced with an increased risk of sperm competition. Using a series of in vitro sperm manipulation and competition experiments, we show that rapid changes in sperm velocity are mediated by seminal fluid and the effect of seminal fluid on sperm velocity directly impacts paternity share and therefore reproductive success. These combined findings, completely consistent with sperm competition theory, provide unequivocal evidence that sperm competition risk drives plastic adjustment of ejaculate quality, that seminal fluid harbours the mechanism for the rapid adjustment of sperm velocity and that fitness benefits accrue to males from such adjustment.
Data from: Social manipulation of sperm competition intensity reduces seminal fluid gene expression
A considerable body of evidence supports the prediction that males should increase their expenditure on the ejaculate in response to sperm competition risk. The prediction that they should reduce their expenditure with increasing sperm competition intensity is less well supported. Moreover, most studies have documented plasticity in sperm numbers. Here we show that male crickets Teleogryllus oceanicus exhibit reduced seminal fluid gene expression and accessory gland mass in response to elevated sperm competition intensity. Together with previous research, our findings suggest that strategic adjustments in seminal fluid composition contribute to competitive fertilization success in this species.
Data from: Cultural turnover among Galápagos sperm whales
While populations may wax and wane, it is rare for an entire population to be replaced by a completely different set of individuals. We document the large-scale relocation of cultural groups of sperm whale off the Galápagos Islands, in which two sympatric vocal clans were entirely replaced by two different ones. Between 1985 and 1999, whales from two clans (called Regular and Plus-One) defined by cultural dialects in coda vocalizations were repeatedly photo-identified off Galápagos. Their occurrence in the area declined through the 1990s; by 2000, none remained. We reassessed Galápagos sperm whales in 2013–2014, identifying 463 new females. However, re-sighting rates were low, with no matches with the Galápagos 1985–1999 population, suggesting an eastward shift to coastal areas. Their vocal repertoires matched those of two other clans (called Short and Four-Plus) found across the Pacific but previously rare or absent around Galápagos. The mechanisms behind this cultural turnover may include large-scale environmental regime shifts favouring clan-specific foraging strategies, and a response to heavy whaling in the region involving redistribution of surviving whales into high-quality habitats. The fall and rise of sperm whale cultures off Galápagos reflect the structuring of the Pacific population into large, enduring clans with dynamic ranges. Long-lasting clan membership illustrates how culture can be bound up in the structure and dynamics of animal populations and so how tracking cultural traits can reveal large-scale population shifts.
FIGURES 17–22. A. glabrifrons. 17. male, 18. female. 19. vaginal furca, 20. female genitalia, 21. sperm pump 22 in Two new species of the genus Apolysis (Apolysini, Bombyliidae, Diptera) from the north of Iran
FIGURES 17–22. A. glabrifrons. 17. male, 18. female. 19. vaginal furca, 20. female genitalia, 21. sperm pump 22. female wing.
FIGURES 57–62. Sperm induction structures, females. 57 in Four new species of the subgenus Pachylaelaps (Longipachylaelaps) from Italy, with a new identification key to the known species (Acari: Pachylaelapidae)
FIGURES 57–62. Sperm induction structures, females. 57. Pachylaelaps (Longipachylaelaps) longisetis; 58. Pachylaelaps (Longipachylaelaps) brevipilis; 59. Pachylaelaps (Longipachylaelaps) longulus; 60. Pachylaelaps (Longipachylaelaps) distinctus; 61. Pachylaelaps (Longipachylaelaps) vicarius; 62. Pachylaelaps (Longipachylaelaps) carpathicus. Not scaled.
Figure S4.2. Dynamic weekly suitability map for sperm whales around central group islands (Pico, Faial, São Jorge and Terceira), Azores.
<p>Dynamic weekly suitability map for sperm whales around central group islands (Pico, Faial, São Jorge and Terceira), Azores.</p>
Reproduction of Southern Black Drum - sperm quality
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Sperm competition drives variation in testis size within and between breeding seasons in the gracile mouse opossum
<p>Data set on <i>Gracilinanus agilis</i> (Didelphimorphia: Didelphidae) with a reproducible script.</p><p> </p>
Fig. 4 in Sperm morphology and some aspects of acrosomal complex development in four species of Heteronemertea (Pilidiophora, Nemertea)
Fig. 4. Ultrastructural aspects of the acrosomal complex development in Kulikovia alborostrata (A) Primary spermatocyte (sc) (B) Fragment of primary spermatocyte with Golgi body (Gb) located near a pair of centrioles (c). Arrows indicate small proacrosomal vesicles (C) Dividing spermatocyte (D) Higher magnification of proacrosomal vesicles (arrows) (E) Spermatid with single large rounded acrosomal vesicle (av) (F) Spermatids with transformed acrosomal vesicles in posterior and anterior positions. Abbreviations: chr, chromatin; m, mitochondrion; n, nucleus; pnf, posterior nuclear fossa. Scale bars: A, F = 2 μm, B, C, E = 1 μm, D = 0.5 μm.
Fig. 1 in Sperm morphology and some aspects of acrosomal complex development in four species of Heteronemertea (Pilidiophora, Nemertea)
Fig. 1. Fine organization of spermatozoon in Micrura bella (A–C) SEM (D–J) TEM (A) General view of spermatozoon (B) Sperm head with visible acrosomal region (a), slightly curveted nucleus (n) and midpiece (mp) with mitochondria rounded or slightly elongated along anterior/posterior axis. Flagellum (f) is posteriorly oriented (C) Longitudinal section along sperm head that consists of acrosomal complex (ac), nucleus, midpiece containing mitochondria, and centriolar complex (cc) (D) Longitudinal section along acrosomal complex containing large electron-dense vesicle in apical position (dv), thin layer of electron-dense material surrounding the electron-dense vesicle (arrows), small vesicles with moderate electron density (mv) located beneath plasma membrane and lower than the region of large vesicle; flocculent subacrosomal material of moderate electron density (asterisk) fills the central region immediately under the electron-dense vesicle (E) Higher magnification of large acrosomal vesicle in longitudinal projection. Its basal part forms invagination (F) Transverse section across acrosomal complex at the level of small vesicles. The vesicles are located peripherally forming a ring, often open. Central part is filled by subacrosomal material (asterisk) (G) Transverse section across acrosomal complex at the level of electron-dense vesicle. The vesicle is surrounded by electron-dense ring (arrow) (H) Longitudinal section along midpiece with centriolar complex represented by proximal (pc) and distal centrioles (dc) and mitochondria. The basal part of the nucleus forms posterior nuclear fossa (pnf) and invaginations hosting mitochondria (arrow) at sites of their contact with the nucleus (I) Transverse section across midpiece containing five mitochondria (J) Pericentriolar complex of distal centriole formed by satellite fibers (sf) (K) Transverse section through flagellum. Scale bars: A = 5 μm, B, C =2 μm, D-G =0.2 μm, H-J = 0.5 μm, K = 0.1 μm.
Improving sperm quality of large South American catfish using trehalose-based activating solutions
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Mating stimulates the immune response and sperm storage-related genes expression in spermathecae of bumblebee (Bombus terrestris) queen
<p>Data of the genes expression in spermathecae of mated bumblebee (<em>Bombus terrestris</em>) queen</p>
Figure 4 in Evolution of sperm morphology in potamid freshwater crabs (Crustacea: Brachyura: Potamoidea)
Figure 4. Diagrammatic drawings of potamine spermatozoa. A, Parathelphusula panningi (with cleistospermic spermatophore wall). B, Himalayapotamon emphysetum (with cleistospermic spermatophore wall). C, Socotrapotamon socotrense. Scale bars: 1 Mm.
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Allen Brain Atlas
Allen Brain Atlas is an Allen Institute collection of brain map atlases, datasets, APIs, and analysis tools covering mouse, human, and non-human primate brain resources.
Annotated Behaviour and Observability Dataset (ABODe)
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The International Brain Laboratory public data releases expose standardized mouse decision-making experiments, including Neuropixels recordings, widefield calcium imaging, behavior, and session metadata accessed through the ONE API.
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