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104 results for “reproductive fitness”

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dryad36/100

Photosynthesis from stolen chloroplasts can support sea slug reproductive fitness

Some sea slugs are able to steal functional chloroplasts (kleptoplasts) from their algal food sources, but the role and relevance of photosynthesis to the animal host remain controversial. While some researchers claim that kleptoplasts are slowly digestible 'snacks', others advocate that they enhance the overall fitness of sea slugs much more profoundly. Our analysis show light-dependent incorporation of 13C and 15N in the albumen gland and gonadal follicles of the sea slug Elysia timida, representing translocation of photosynthates to kleptoplast-free reproductive organs. Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids with reported roles in reproduction were produced in the sea slug cells using labelled precursors translocated from the kleptoplasts. Finally, we report reduced fecundity of E. timida by limiting kleptoplast photosynthesis. The present study indicates that photosynthesis enhances the reproductive fitness of kleptoplast-bearing sea slugs, confirming the biological relevance of this remarkable association between a metazoan and an algal-derived organelle.

opencc-zeroOct 2021View details →

dryad36/100

Recovery from heat-induced infertility: A study of reproductive tissue responses and fitness consequences in male Drosophila melanogaster

The predicted temperature increase caused by climate change is a threat to biodiversity. Across animal taxa, male reproduction is often sensitive to elevated temperatures leading to fertility loss and in more adverse scenarios, this can result in sterility when males reach their upper thermal fertility limit. Here we investigate temperature-induced changes in reproductive tissues, fertility reduction, sterility, and the associated fitness loss during the subsequent recovery phase in male Drosophila melanogaster. We heat-stressed males during development and either allowed them to recover or not in early adulthood, while measuring several determinants of male reproductive success. We found significant differences in recovery rate, organ sizes, sperm production, and other key reproductive traits among males from our different temperature treatments. Sperm maturation was impaired before reaching the upper thermal sterility threshold. While some effects were reversible, this did not compensate for the fitness loss due to damage imposed during development. Surprisingly, developmental heat stress was damaging to accessory gland growth, and female post-mating responses mediated by seminal fluid proteins were impaired regardless of the possibility of recovery. We suggest that sub-lethal thermal sterility and the subsequent fertility reduction is caused by a combination of inefficient functionality of both the accessory gland and testes.

opencc-zeroNov 2022View details →

dryad36/100

Correlates of early reproduction and apparent fitness consequences in male Soay sheep

Life history trade-offs are ubiquitous across species and place constraints on the timing of life history events, including the optimal age at first reproduction. However, studies on lifetime breeding success of male mammals are rare due to sex-biased dispersal and the requirement for genetic paternity inferences. We studied the correlates and apparent fitness consequences of early-life reproduction among males in a free-living population of Soay sheep (Ovis aries) on St Kilda, Scotland. We investigated the factors associated with early breeding success and the apparent consequences of early success for survival and future reproduction. We used genetic paternity inferences, population data and individual morphology measurements collected over 30 years. We found that individuals born in years with low-density population size had the highest early-life breeding success, and singletons were more likely to be successful than twins. Individuals that bred successfully at seven months were more likely to survive their first winter. For individuals that survived their first winter, early breeding success was not associated with later breeding success. Since individual heterogeneity affects breeding success, we believe that variation in individual quality masks costs of early reproduction in this population. Our findings provide no evidence for selection for delayed age at reproduction in male Soay sheep.

opencc-zeroApr 2023View details →

dryad36/100

Data for: Plastic maternal effects of social density on reproduction and fitness in the least killifish, Heterandria formosa

Environmental parental effects, also known as transgenerational plasticity, are widespread in plants and animals. Less well known is whether those effects contribute to maternal fitness in the same manner in different populations. We carried out a multi-generational laboratory experiment with females drawn from two populations of the Least Killifish, Heterandria formosa, to assess transgenerational plasticity in reproductive traits in response to differences in social density and its effects on maternal fitness. In the first and second generations, increased density decreased reproductive rate and increased offspring size in females from both populations. There were complicated patterns of transgenerational plasticity on maternal fitness that differed between females from different populations. Females from a population with historically low densities whose mothers experienced lower density had higher fitness than females whose mothers experienced higher density, regardless of their own density. The opposite pattern emerged in females from the population with historically high densities: females whose mothers experienced higher density had higher fitness than females whose mothers experienced lower density. This transgenerational plasticity is not anticipatory but might be considered adaptive in both populations if providing those "silver spoons" enhances offspring fitness in all environments.

opencc-zeroMay 2023View details →

dryad36/100

Nectar robbing by bees affects the reproductive fitness of the distylous plant Tirpitzia sinensis (Linaceae)

Nectar robbing can affect plant reproductive success directly by influencing female and male fitness, and indirectly by affecting pollinator behavior. Flowers have morphological and chemical features that may protect them from nectar robbers. Previous studies on nectar robbing have focused mainly on homotypic plants. It remains unclear how nectar robbing affects the reproductive success of distylous plants, and whether defense strategies of two morphs are different. Nectar robbing rates on the long- and short- styled morph (L-morph, S-morph) of the distylous Tirpitzia sinensis were investigated. We compared floral traits, the temporal pattern of change in nectar volume and sugar concentration, nectar secondary metabolites and sugar composition between robbed and unrobbed flowers of two morphs. We tested direct effects of nectar robbing on female and male components of plant fitness and the indirect effects of nectar robbing via pollinators. Nectar robbing rates did not differ between the two morphs. Flowers with smaller sepals and petals were more easily robbed. The floral tube diameter and thickness were greater in L-morphs than in S-morphs, and the nectar rob holes were significantly smaller in L-morphs than in S-morphs. Nectar robbing significantly decreased nectar replenishment rate but did not affect nectar sugar concentration or sugar composition. After robbery the quantities and diversity of secondary compounds in the nectar of S-morphs increased significantly and the total relative contents of secondary compounds in L-morphs showed no obvious changes. Nectar robbing could decrease female fitness by decreasing pollen germination and thus decreasing seed set. Nectar robbing had no significant effects on male fitness. Robbed flowers were less likely to be visited by hawkmoth pollinators, especially in S-morphs. These results suggest that nectar robbing could directly and indirectly decrease the female fitness of T. sinensis, and different morphs have evolved different defense mechanisms in response to nectar robbing pressure.

opencc-zeroOct 2023View details →

ClinicalTrials.gov36/100

Improving Reproductive Fitness Through Pretreatment With Lifestyle Modification in Obese Women With Unexplained Infertility

ClinicalTrials.gov study NCT02432209. IPD Sharing: YES. Countries: 1. Publications: 2.

controlledIPD-YESFeb 2026View details →

ClinicalTrials.gov36/100

CaREFREE Study (Calorie Restriction, Environment and Fitness: Reproductive Effects Evaluation Study)

ClinicalTrials.gov study NCT02858336. IPD Sharing: NO. Countries: 1. Publications: 4.

closedIPD-NOFeb 2026View details →

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