1
|
Sun F, Desevin K, Fu Y, Parameswaran S, Mayall J, Rinaldi V, Krietenstein N, Manukyan A, Yin Q, Galan C, Yang CH, Shindyapina AV, Gladyshev VN, Garber M, Schjenken JE, Rando OJ. A single cell atlas of the mouse seminal vesicle. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.04.08.588538. [PMID: 38645090 PMCID: PMC11030459 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.08.588538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/23/2024]
Abstract
During mammalian reproduction, sperm are delivered to the female reproductive tract bathed in a complex medium known as seminal fluid, which plays key roles in signaling to the female reproductive tract and in nourishing sperm for their onwards journey. Along with minor contributions from the prostate and the epididymis, the majority of seminal fluid is produced by a somewhat understudied organ known as the seminal vesicle. Here, we report the first single-cell RNA-seq atlas of the mouse seminal vesicle, generated using tissues obtained from 23 mice of varying ages, exposed to a range of dietary challenges. We define the transcriptome of the secretory cells in this tissue, identifying a relatively homogeneous population of the epithelial cells which are responsible for producing the majority of seminal fluid. We also define the immune cell populations - including large populations of macrophages, dendritic cells, T cells, and NKT cells - which have the potential to play roles in producing various immune mediators present in seminal plasma. Together, our data provide a resource for understanding the composition of an understudied reproductive tissue with potential implications for paternal control of offspring development and metabolism.
Collapse
|
2
|
Crean AJ, Pulpitel TJ, Pini T, Rickard JP, de Graaf SP, Senior AM, Simpson SJ, Wali JA. Low-Fat, High-Carbohydrate Diets Reduce Body Weight and Sperm Count but Increase Sperm Motility in Mice. J Nutr 2024; 154:60-68. [PMID: 37984745 DOI: 10.1016/j.tjnut.2023.11.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Revised: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Male reproduction is impacted by both over- and under-nutrition, demonstrated by animal studies using high-fat and low-protein dietary interventions. Little is known about the impacts of low-fat, high-carb diets and types of dietary carbohydrates on sperm traits. OBJECTIVES Using a nutritional geometry approach, we investigated the effects of partially or completely substituting glucose for fructose in isocaloric diets containing either 10%, 20%, or 30% fat (by energy) on sperm traits in mice. METHODS Male C57BL/6J mice were fed 1 of 15 experimental diets for 18 wk starting from 8 wk of age. Reproductive organs were then harvested, and sperm concentration, motility, and velocity were measured using Computer-Assisted Sperm Analysis. RESULTS Increasing dietary fat from 10% to 30% while maintaining energy density at 14.3 kJ/g and protein content at 20% resulted in increased body weight and sperm production but reduced the percentage of motile sperm. Body weight and seminal vesicle weight were maximized on diets containing a 50:50 mix of fructose and glucose, but carbohydrate type had few significant impacts on epididymal sperm traits. CONCLUSIONS The opposing impacts of dietary fat on mouse sperm quantity and quality observed suggest that male fertility may not be optimized by a single diet; rather, context-specific dietary guidelines targeted to specific concerns in semen quality may prove useful in treating male infertility.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Angela J Crean
- The University of Sydney, Charles Perkins Centre, New South Wales, Australia; The University of Sydney, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, New South Wales, Australia.
| | - Tamara J Pulpitel
- The University of Sydney, Charles Perkins Centre, New South Wales, Australia; The University of Sydney, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Taylor Pini
- The University of Sydney, Charles Perkins Centre, New South Wales, Australia; The University of Queensland, School of Veterinary Science, Queensland, Australia
| | - Jessica P Rickard
- The University of Sydney, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Simon P de Graaf
- The University of Sydney, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Alistair M Senior
- The University of Sydney, Charles Perkins Centre, New South Wales, Australia; The University of Sydney, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Stephen J Simpson
- The University of Sydney, Charles Perkins Centre, New South Wales, Australia; The University of Sydney, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Jibran A Wali
- The University of Sydney, Charles Perkins Centre, New South Wales, Australia; The University of Sydney, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, New South Wales, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Spiteri Douglas R, Hartley MR, Yang JR, Franklin TB. Differential expression of Hdac2 in male and female mice of differing social status. Physiol Behav 2024; 273:114406. [PMID: 37949308 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2023.114406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
Mice naturally form social hierarchies, and their experiences as subordinate or dominant mice inform future behavioural strategies. To better understand the neural bases of social dominance, we investigated hippocampal gene and protein expression of histone deacetylase 2 (HDAC2), an epigenetic regulator that decreases expression of synaptic plasticity genes and reduces excitatory synaptic function. Hdac2 in hippocampus was associated with social status. The gene for a closely related histone deacetylase (Hdac1), and HDAC2 protein expression, were not associated with social rank in hippocampus. These findings suggest that Hdac2 expression in hippocampus is distinctly linked with social status.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Renée Spiteri Douglas
- The Social Lab, Dalhousie University, Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Mackenzie R Hartley
- The Social Lab, Dalhousie University, Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - J Renee Yang
- The Social Lab, Dalhousie University, Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Tamara B Franklin
- The Social Lab, Dalhousie University, Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Halifax, NS, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Milewski TM, Lee W, Champagne FA, Curley JP. Behavioural and physiological plasticity in social hierarchies. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2022; 377:20200443. [PMID: 35000436 PMCID: PMC8743892 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2020.0443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Individuals occupying dominant and subordinate positions in social hierarchies exhibit divergent behaviours, physiology and neural functioning. Dominant animals express higher levels of dominance behaviours such as aggression, territorial defence and mate-guarding. Dominants also signal their status via auditory, visual or chemical cues. Moreover, dominant animals typically increase reproductive behaviours and show enhanced spatial and social cognition as well as elevated arousal. These biobehavioural changes increase energetic demands that are met via shifting both energy intake and metabolism and are supported by coordinated changes in physiological systems including the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal and hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axes as well as altered gene expression and sensitivity of neural circuits that regulate these behaviours. Conversely, subordinate animals inhibit dominance and often reproductive behaviours and exhibit physiological changes adapted to socially stressful contexts. Phenotypic changes in both dominant and subordinate individuals may be beneficial in the short-term but lead to long-term challenges to health. Further, rapid changes in social ranks occur as dominant animals socially ascend or descend and are associated with dynamic modulations in the brain and periphery. In this paper, we provide a broad overview of how behavioural and phenotypic changes associated with social dominance and subordination are expressed in neural and physiological plasticity. This article is part of the theme issue 'The centennial of the pecking order: current state and future prospects for the study of dominance hierarchies'.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- T. M. Milewski
- Department of Psychology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - W. Lee
- Department of Psychology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - F. A. Champagne
- Department of Psychology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - J. P. Curley
- Department of Psychology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Smyth SP, Nixon B, Anderson AL, Murray HC, Martin JH, MacDougall LA, Robertson SA, Skerrett-Byrne DA, Schjenken JE. Elucidation of the protein composition of mouse seminal vesicle fluid. Proteomics 2022; 22:e2100227. [PMID: 35014747 DOI: 10.1002/pmic.202100227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Revised: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
The seminal vesicles are male accessory sex glands that contribute the major portion of the seminal plasma in which mammalian spermatozoa are bathed during ejaculation. In addition to conveying sperm through the ejaculatory duct, seminal vesicle secretions support sperm survival after ejaculation, and influence the female reproductive tract to promote receptivity to pregnancy. Analysis of seminal vesicle fluid (SVF) composition by proteomics has proven challenging, due to its highly biased protein signature with a small subset of dominant proteins and the difficulty of solubilizing this viscous fluid. As such, publicly available proteomic datasets identify only 85 SVF proteins in total. To address this limitation, we report a new preparative methodology involving sequential solubilization of mouse SVF in guanidine hydrochloride, acetone precipitation, and analysis by label-free mass spectrometry. Using this strategy, we identified 126 SVF proteins, including 83 previously undetected in SVF. Members of the seminal vesicle secretory protein family were the most abundant, accounting for 79% of all peptide spectrum matches. Functional analysis identified inflammation and formation of the vaginal plug as the two most prominent biological processes. Other notable processes included modulation of sperm function and regulation of the female reproductive tract immune environment. Together, these findings provide a robust methodological framework for future SVF studies and identify novel proteins with potential to influence both male and female reproductive physiology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shannon P Smyth
- School of Environmental and Life Sciences, College of Engineering, Science and Environment, The University of Newcastle, NSW, Australia.,Infertility and Reproduction Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, NSW, Australia
| | - Brett Nixon
- School of Environmental and Life Sciences, College of Engineering, Science and Environment, The University of Newcastle, NSW, Australia.,Infertility and Reproduction Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, NSW, Australia
| | - Amanda L Anderson
- School of Environmental and Life Sciences, College of Engineering, Science and Environment, The University of Newcastle, NSW, Australia.,Infertility and Reproduction Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, NSW, Australia
| | - Heather C Murray
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, The University of Newcastle, NSW, Australia.,Precision Medicine Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
| | - Jacinta H Martin
- School of Environmental and Life Sciences, College of Engineering, Science and Environment, The University of Newcastle, NSW, Australia.,Infertility and Reproduction Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, NSW, Australia
| | - Lily A MacDougall
- School of Environmental and Life Sciences, College of Engineering, Science and Environment, The University of Newcastle, NSW, Australia.,Infertility and Reproduction Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, NSW, Australia
| | - Sarah A Robertson
- The Robinson Research Institute and Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - David A Skerrett-Byrne
- School of Environmental and Life Sciences, College of Engineering, Science and Environment, The University of Newcastle, NSW, Australia.,Infertility and Reproduction Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, NSW, Australia
| | - John E Schjenken
- School of Environmental and Life Sciences, College of Engineering, Science and Environment, The University of Newcastle, NSW, Australia.,Infertility and Reproduction Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, NSW, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Skerrett-Byrne DA, Nixon B, Bromfield EG, Breen J, Trigg NA, Stanger SJ, Bernstein IR, Anderson AL, Lord T, Aitken RJ, Roman SD, Robertson SA, Schjenken JE. Transcriptomic analysis of the seminal vesicle response to the reproductive toxicant acrylamide. BMC Genomics 2021; 22:728. [PMID: 34625024 PMCID: PMC8499523 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-021-07951-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The seminal vesicles synthesise bioactive factors that support gamete function, modulate the female reproductive tract to promote implantation, and influence developmental programming of offspring phenotype. Despite the significance of the seminal vesicles in reproduction, their biology remains poorly defined. Here, to advance understanding of seminal vesicle biology, we analyse the mouse seminal vesicle transcriptome under normal physiological conditions and in response to acute exposure to the reproductive toxicant acrylamide. Mice were administered acrylamide (25 mg/kg bw/day) or vehicle control daily for five consecutive days prior to collecting seminal vesicle tissue 72 h following the final injection. RESULTS A total of 15,304 genes were identified in the seminal vesicles with those encoding secreted proteins amongst the most abundant. In addition to reproductive hormone pathways, functional annotation of the seminal vesicle transcriptome identified cell proliferation, protein synthesis, and cellular death and survival pathways as prominent biological processes. Administration of acrylamide elicited 70 differentially regulated (fold-change ≥1.5 or ≤ 0.67) genes, several of which were orthogonally validated using quantitative PCR. Pathways that initiate gene and protein synthesis to promote cellular survival were prominent amongst the dysregulated pathways. Inflammation was also a key transcriptomic response to acrylamide, with the cytokine, Colony stimulating factor 2 (Csf2) identified as a top-ranked upstream driver and inflammatory mediator associated with recovery of homeostasis. Early growth response (Egr1), C-C motif chemokine ligand 8 (Ccl8), and Collagen, type V, alpha 1 (Col5a1) were also identified amongst the dysregulated genes. Additionally, acrylamide treatment led to subtle changes in the expression of genes that encode proteins secreted by the seminal vesicle, including the complement regulator, Complement factor b (Cfb). CONCLUSIONS These data add to emerging evidence demonstrating that the seminal vesicles, like other male reproductive tract tissues, are sensitive to environmental insults, and respond in a manner with potential to exert impact on fetal development and later offspring health.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David A Skerrett-Byrne
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Discipline of Biological Sciences, The University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia.,Hunter Medical Research Institute, Pregnancy and Reproduction Program, New Lambton Heights, NSW, 2305, Australia
| | - Brett Nixon
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Discipline of Biological Sciences, The University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia.,Hunter Medical Research Institute, Pregnancy and Reproduction Program, New Lambton Heights, NSW, 2305, Australia
| | - Elizabeth G Bromfield
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Discipline of Biological Sciences, The University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia.,Hunter Medical Research Institute, Pregnancy and Reproduction Program, New Lambton Heights, NSW, 2305, Australia.,Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, 3584 CM, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - James Breen
- The Robinson Research Institute and Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, 5005, Australia.,South Australian Genomics Centre (SAGC), South Australian Health & Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia.,Computational & Systems Biology Program, Precision Medicine Theme, South Australian Health & Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia.,Adelaide Medical School, Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, 5005, Australia
| | - Natalie A Trigg
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Discipline of Biological Sciences, The University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia.,Hunter Medical Research Institute, Pregnancy and Reproduction Program, New Lambton Heights, NSW, 2305, Australia
| | - Simone J Stanger
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Discipline of Biological Sciences, The University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia.,Hunter Medical Research Institute, Pregnancy and Reproduction Program, New Lambton Heights, NSW, 2305, Australia
| | - Ilana R Bernstein
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Discipline of Biological Sciences, The University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia.,Hunter Medical Research Institute, Pregnancy and Reproduction Program, New Lambton Heights, NSW, 2305, Australia
| | - Amanda L Anderson
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Discipline of Biological Sciences, The University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia.,Hunter Medical Research Institute, Pregnancy and Reproduction Program, New Lambton Heights, NSW, 2305, Australia
| | - Tessa Lord
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Discipline of Biological Sciences, The University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia.,Hunter Medical Research Institute, Pregnancy and Reproduction Program, New Lambton Heights, NSW, 2305, Australia
| | - R John Aitken
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Discipline of Biological Sciences, The University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia.,Hunter Medical Research Institute, Pregnancy and Reproduction Program, New Lambton Heights, NSW, 2305, Australia
| | - Shaun D Roman
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Discipline of Biological Sciences, The University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia.,Hunter Medical Research Institute, Pregnancy and Reproduction Program, New Lambton Heights, NSW, 2305, Australia
| | - Sarah A Robertson
- The Robinson Research Institute and Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, 5005, Australia.,Adelaide Medical School, Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, 5005, Australia
| | - John E Schjenken
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Discipline of Biological Sciences, The University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia. .,Hunter Medical Research Institute, Pregnancy and Reproduction Program, New Lambton Heights, NSW, 2305, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Skerrett-Byrne DA, Trigg NA, Bromfield EG, Dun MD, Bernstein IR, Anderson AL, Stanger SJ, MacDougall LA, Lord T, Aitken RJ, Roman SD, Robertson SA, Nixon B, Schjenken JE. Proteomic Dissection of the Impact of Environmental Exposures on Mouse Seminal Vesicle Function. Mol Cell Proteomics 2021; 20:100107. [PMID: 34089863 PMCID: PMC8250459 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcpro.2021.100107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Revised: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Seminal vesicles are an integral part of the male reproductive accessory gland system. They produce a complex array of secretions containing bioactive constituents that support gamete function and promote reproductive success, with emerging evidence suggesting these secretions are influenced by our environment. Despite their significance, the biology of seminal vesicles remains poorly defined. Here, we complete the first proteomic assessment of mouse seminal vesicles and assess the impact of the reproductive toxicant acrylamide. Mice were administered acrylamide (25 mg/kg bw/day) or control daily for five consecutive days prior to collecting seminal vesicle tissue. A total of 5013 proteins were identified in the seminal vesicle proteome with bioinformatic analyses identifying cell proliferation, protein synthesis, cellular death, and survival pathways as prominent biological processes. Secreted proteins were among the most abundant, and several proteins are linked with seminal vesicle phenotypes. Analysis of the effect of acrylamide on the seminal vesicle proteome revealed 311 differentially regulated (FC ± 1.5, p ≤ 0.05, 205 up-regulated, 106 downregulated) proteins, orthogonally validated via immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry. Pathways that initiate protein synthesis to promote cellular survival were prominent among the dysregulated pathways, and rapamycin-insensitive companion of mTOR (RICTOR, p = 6.69E-07) was a top-ranked upstream driver. Oxidative stress was implicated as contributing to protein changes, with acrylamide causing an increase in 8-OHdG in seminal vesicle epithelial cells (fivefold increase, p = 0.016) and the surrounding smooth muscle layer (twofold increase, p = 0.043). Additionally, acrylamide treatment caused a reduction in seminal vesicle secretion weight (36% reduction, p = 0.009) and total protein content (25% reduction, p = 0.017). Together these findings support the interpretation that toxicant exposure influences male accessory gland physiology and highlights the need to consider the response of all male reproductive tract tissues when interpreting the impact of environmental stressors on male reproductive function.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David A Skerrett-Byrne
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Discipline of Biological Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia; Pregnancy and Reproduction Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - Natalie A Trigg
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Discipline of Biological Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia; Pregnancy and Reproduction Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - Elizabeth G Bromfield
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Discipline of Biological Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia; Pregnancy and Reproduction Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia; Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Matthew D Dun
- Cancer Signalling Research Group, Faculty of Health and Medicine, School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia; Priority Research Centre for Cancer Research Innovation and Translation, Hunter Medical Research Institute, Lambton, NSW, Australia
| | - Ilana R Bernstein
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Discipline of Biological Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia; Pregnancy and Reproduction Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - Amanda L Anderson
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Discipline of Biological Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia; Pregnancy and Reproduction Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - Simone J Stanger
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Discipline of Biological Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia; Pregnancy and Reproduction Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - Lily A MacDougall
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Discipline of Biological Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia; Pregnancy and Reproduction Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - Tessa Lord
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Discipline of Biological Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia; Pregnancy and Reproduction Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - R John Aitken
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Discipline of Biological Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia; Pregnancy and Reproduction Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - Shaun D Roman
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Discipline of Biological Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia; Pregnancy and Reproduction Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - Sarah A Robertson
- The Robinson Research Institute and Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Brett Nixon
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Discipline of Biological Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia; Pregnancy and Reproduction Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - John E Schjenken
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Discipline of Biological Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia; Pregnancy and Reproduction Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Strategic adjustment of ejaculate quality in response to variation of the socio-sexual environment. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-021-03032-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
|
9
|
Ramm SA. Seminal fluid and accessory male investment in sperm competition. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2020; 375:20200068. [PMID: 33070740 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2020.0068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Sperm production and allocation strategies have been a central concern of sperm competition research for the past 50 years. But during the 'sexual cascade' there may be strong selection for alternative routes to maximizing male fitness. Especially with the evolution of internal fertilization, a common and by now well-studied example is the accessory ejaculate investment represented by seminal fluid, the complex mixture of proteins, peptides and other components transferred to females together with sperm. How seminal fluid investment should covary with sperm investment probably depends on the mechanism of seminal fluid action. If seminal fluid components boost male paternity success by directly enhancing sperm function or use, we might often expect a positive correlation between the two forms of male investment, whereas trade-offs seem more likely if seminal fluid acts independently of sperm. This is largely borne out by a broad taxonomic survey to establish the prevailing patterns of seminal fluid production and allocation during animal evolution, in light of which I discuss the gaps that remain in our understanding of this key ejaculate component and its relationship to sperm investment, before outlining promising approaches for examining seminal fluid-mediated sperm competitiveness in the post-genomic era. This article is part of the theme issue 'Fifty years of sperm competition'.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Steven A Ramm
- Evolutionary Biology, Bielefeld University, Konsequenz 45, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Simmons LW, Wedell N. Fifty years of sperm competition: the structure of a scientific revolution. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2020; 375:20200060. [PMID: 33070719 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2020.0060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Leigh W Simmons
- Centre for Evolutionary Biology, The University of Western Australia, Crawley 6009, Australia
| | - Nina Wedell
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Cornwall, Penryn TR10 9FE, UK
| |
Collapse
|