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PubMed2001

Subsets of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons are activated during a steroid-induced luteinizing hormone surge and mating in mice: a combined retrograde tracing double immunohistochemical study.

The decapeptide gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) plays a pivotal role in reproduction and is synthesized by GnRH-producing cell bodies in the basal forebrain. Experiments were designed to investigate whether GnRH cells projecting outside the blood brain barrier or those projecting within the brain are activated during the steroid-induced LH surge or mating in female mice. Retrograde uptake of intraperitoneally administered fluorogold (FG) by GnRH cells and double immunostaining for GnRH and Fos was employed for this purpose. The number of GnRH cells with FG uptake was comparable among the surged, mated and control mice. However, the number of Fos-positive GnRH cells was significantly higher in the steroid-induced LH surge group than in the mated mice. The number of Fos+FG-positive GnRH cells was higher and the number of FG-only GnRH cells was lower in mice with a steroid-induced LH surge as compared with the mated mice. This suggests the existence of a subgroup of GnRH cells projecting outside the blood-brain barrier activated during the steroid-induced LH surge but not during mating. The activation of similar proportions of GnRH cells without FG uptake in both the mated and the surge group indicate that nonneuroendocrine GnRH cells are not silent but can be activated by both mating and steroid hormones. Thus, functional subgroups may exist within the GnRH system with considerable overlap in the input to these cells.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Morphological, immunohistochemical and quantitative studies of murine brain mast cells after mating.

The mast cell is one of the immune cells, and can be triggered behaviorally to increase in the CNS of the sexually active dove. In the present study, we used ICR mice to investigate the number of brain mast cells in mated (one male with three female mice), non-mated (housed with female mice, but no mating) and control (four male mice housed together in one cage) male mice. We found that at least 40% of mated male mice had significant more mast cells than the maximum value seen in the controls, and that a significant correlation existed between the distribution index of mast cells and the postcoitum date. These mast cells were especially numerous in the thalamus and velum interpositum (VIP). Morphological observations showed that the increased mast cells were ultrastructurally similar to those in the controls, and displayed gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)-like immunoreactivity. Based on the facts that the number of brain mast cells in the male mice increased significantly after mating and that the change in the distribution of mast cells in the VIP and the thalamic parenchyma correlated well with time postcoitum, we speculate that, after mating, mast cells may migrate from the VIP to the thalamic parenchyma along the vascular tree of the brain. These results strongly suggest that mast cells are involved in the interaction among the immune, endocrine, and nervous systems in the mated male mouse brain.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

Response of ERalpha-IR and ERbeta-IR cells in the forebrain of female rats to mating stimuli.

Sexual behavior in female rats depends on the action of estradiol on estrogen receptors (ERs) found in particular brain regions. While hormonal regulation of female sexual behavior requires ERalpha, the possible functions of ERbeta remain to be clarified. Mating stimulation has several behavioral and physiological consequences and induces Fos expression in many brain areas involved in the regulation of reproductive behavior and physiology. In addition, some cells in which mating induces Fos expression coexpress ERalpha. To determine whether cells in which Fos is induced by a particular mating stimulus coexpress ERalpha, ERbeta, or both, we used a triple-label immunofluorescent technique to visualize ERalpha-, ERbeta-, and mating-induced Fos-immunoreactivity (Fos-ir) in neurons in which mating stimulation reliably increases Fos expression. Ovariectomized, hormone-primed rats were either unmated, received 15 mounts, or received 15 intromissions. In the rostral medial preoptic area, Fos-ir was induced by mounts alone primarily in cells coexpressing ERalpha-ir, while Fos-ir was induced by intromissions mainly in cells coexpressing both ERalpha-ir and ERbeta-ir (ERalpha/ERbeta-ir). In the dorsal part of the posterodorsal medial amygdala, Fos-ir was induced by intromissions in cells coexpressing ERalpha-ir and ERalpha/ERbeta-ir. However, in the ventral part of the posterodorsal medial amygdala, Fos-ir was induced by intromissions primarily in cells coexpressing only ERbeta-ir. These data suggest that qualitatively different sexual stimuli may be integrated through distinct ER-containing circuits in the rostral medial preoptic area and posterodorsal medial amygdala. The diversity in coexpression of type of ER in cells in different brain areas after various mating stimuli suggests a role for both ERalpha and ERbeta in the integration of hormonal information and information related to mating stimuli.

Amygdala↗

PubMed2003

Age-related changes in the competency of the pheromone gland and the pheromonotropic activity of the brain of both virgin and mated females of two Choristoneura species.

Nine-day-old decapitated females injected with different doses of Hez-PBAN produced significantly less pheromone than 1-day-old individuals, suggesting that the age-related decline in the pheromone titre of Choristoneura fumiferana and C. rosaceana virgin females was primarily the result of a reduced ability of the glands to produce pheromone. In C. fumiferana, lower pheromonotropic activity of the Br-SEG may also contribute to the pheromone decline with age but not in C. rosaceana, as the pheromonotropic activity of the Br-SEG remained constant throughout the females' life. In both Choristoneura species, mating also suppressed pheromone production (pheromonostasis) after 24 h. The Br-SEG of mated females contained PBAN but there was no indication that its concentration changed with time post-mating since Br-SEG homogenates obtained from different-aged mated females showed the same level of pheromonotropic activity in both Choristoneura species. However, as observed in virgins, pheromone glands of older mated females were less sensitive to PBAN than those of younger ones. This suggests that the probability of Choristoneura females to attract a second mate may decrease with an increase in the refractory period following the first mating.

Aging↗

PubMed1997

CSF 5-HIAA, testosterone, and sociosexual behaviors in free-ranging male rhesus macaques in the mating season.

This study examines sexual behavior, serotonin turnover in the central nervous system, and testosterone in free-ranging non-human primates. Study subjects were 33 young adult male rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) living in naturalistic social groups on a 475-acre South Carolina barrier island. Blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples were obtained during random trappings, and the subjects were located for observation by radio telemetry. Quantitative behavioral samples totaling 203 observation hours were taken during two mating seasons (September through January) in 1994 and 1995. Control observations (65 h) on 13 subjects were also taken during the non-mating seasons in 1994 and 1995. The results indicate that CSF 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), CSF testosterone, and plasma testosterone concentrations increase significantly during the mating season. During the mating season, there were significant increases in high intensity aggression, low intensity aggression, grooming behavior, and heterosexual mounting. In the mating season, CSF 5-HIAA was significantly correlated with several sociosexual behaviors: consorts per hour, heterosexual mounts per hour, and inseminations per hour. In contrast to previous findings from the non-mating season, CSF 5-HIAA was not correlated with any measures of aggression or sociality, although during consorting, CSF 5-HIAA was positively correlated with grooming. From these findings, we conclude that the lack of correlation between intense and severe aggression and CSF 5-HIAA in the mating season may reflect the use of high intensity aggression in 'normative' male-male competition over access to reproductively active females. We also conclude that CNS serotonin turnover is positively correlated with sexual competence, i.e. males with low CSF 5-HIAA concentrations are less sexually competent than males with higher concentrations.

Aggression↗

PubMed1997

Timing of mating and ovarian response in llamas (Lama glama) treated with pFSH.

The effect of the timing of mating on ovarian response in llamas was evaluated using 20 adult llamas weighing 90-120 kg which had been in oestrus for 5 days and were treated with 20 mg pFSH every 12 h for the following 5 days (total dose: 200 mg of FSH-NIH-P1). They were randomly allocated to Group A (N = 10) and mated immediately at the end of pFSH treatment or to Group B (n = 10) and mated 36 h after the end of pFSH treatment. Llamas of both groups were given hCG (750 iu, i.m.) immediately after mating. A second mating was allowed 12 h later. Ova and embryos were recovered by non-surgical uterine flushing 7 days after the first mating. Ovarian response was immediately evaluated afterwards via laparoscopy. The mean ovulation rate of 4.5 corpora lutea for Group A was significantly lower (P < 0.01) than the mean of 13.8 observed for Group B. The total ovarian response (number of corpora lutea + follicles > 10 mm) was also significantly higher (P < 0.01) in Group B than in Group A. Twenty-seven ova were recovered in each group, corresponding to 60% and 20% (P < 0.01) of the corpora lutea observed in Groups A and B, respectively; however, no significant difference (P > 0.05) in fertilisation rate was observed. The results show that pFSH induces superovulation in llamas treated during oestrus and that a 36-h interval between the end of FSH treatment and mating increases ovulation rate and the total ovarian response but does not affect the number of ova/embryos recovered.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

The evolution of human mating: trade-offs and strategic pluralism.

During human evolutionary history, there were "trade-offs" between expending time and energy on child-rearing and mating, so both men and women evolved conditional mating strategies guided by cues signaling the circumstances. Many short-term matings might be successful for some men; others might try to find and keep a single mate, investing their effort in rearing her offspring. Recent evidence suggests that men with features signaling genetic benefits to offspring should be preferred by women as short-term mates, but there are trade-offs between a mate's genetic fitness and his willingness to help in child-rearing. It is these circumstances and the cues that signal them that underlie the variation in short- and long-term mating strategies between and within the sexes.

Choice Behavior↗

PubMed2004

Fusaproliferin, beauvericin and fumonisin production by different mating populations among the Gibberella fujikuroi complex isolated from maize.

The production of fumonisins, fusaproliferin and beauvericin by Gibberella fujikuroi different mating populations isolated from maize in Argentina was evaluated. From 203 strains of Fusarium verticillioides (G. fujikuroi mating population A), 193 were fumonisin producers. Among members of mating population A, female fertile strains produced 20% more toxin than female sterile ones. Among 78 Fusarium proliferatum strains (G. fujikuroi mating population D) 65 produced fumonisins. The percentage of strains that were high, intermediate and low level toxin producers varied according to the species evaluated and the area from which the strains were isolated. Fusarium subglutinans (G. fujikuroi mating population E) strains produced low levels or were no fumonisin producers. Strains from both G. fujikuroi mating populations D and E were able to produce fusaproliferin and beauvericin. Among the members of F. subglutinans (G. fujikuroi mating population E) the fusaproliferin production was more constant. Co-production of fumonisin, fusaproliferin and beauvericin among the strains belonging to G. fujikuroi D and E was also observed. The co-production of fumonisin, beauvericin and fusaproliferin in maize need to be considered, since from the toxicological point of view interactions between these toxins could occur. The toxigenic ability of the strains evaluated prompt us that is necessary to determine the natural occurrence of fusaproliferin and beauvericin in Argentinean maize.

Argentina↗

PubMed2001

Mating disruption of Plodia interpunctella in small-scale plots: effects of pheromone blend, emission rates, and population density.

An indoor mating disruption experiment was performed on the stored-product pest Plodia interpunctella. The female of this species emits a four-component pheromone blend consisting of Z9,E12-14 : OAc, Z9,E12-14 : OH, Z9,E12-14 : Ald, and Z9-14 : OAc. Mating of Plodia interpunctella was disrupted up to 93% by using synthetic pheromone in small-scale plot experiments. The study was performed in 2.5 m x 2.5 m x 2.5 m polythene cubicles housed in a greenhouse, and pheromones were released by MSTRS spraying every 15 min. The disruption effect was tested at different doses 0.075, 0.75, and 3.75 mg/spray (corresponding to 5, 50, and 250 microg/min), different pheromone formulas (one-component (Z9,E12-14 : OAc) and four-component), and at different population densities (10, 20, and 30 individuals, equivalent to 0.32, 0.64, and 0.96 individuals/m2). The moths were released into the cubicles and recaptured 24 hr later. The females were checked for spermatophore presence indicating successful mating. The mating was significantly suppressed in all treatments compared to the control. There was, however, no difference in mating activity between the one-component and four-component disruptants. In addition, EAG measurements were conducted with a portable device to keep track of aerial concentrations of pheromone. The results show that the one-component formula disrupts mating as efficiently as the more complete four-component blend at doses applied in this study. This fact improves the prospects for mating disruption of indoor pyralids, since many pyralid species share the major component in their pheromones, and, thus, can probably be controlled simultaneously by using this compound only.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Effects of age and experience on mating activity in the sibling species Drosophila pavani and Drosophila gaucha.

The effects of age and experience on sexual activity and on intra- and interspecific discrimination were studied in two sibling species of the mesophragmatica group, Drosophila pavani and Drosophila gaucha. Sexual activity of a total of 2970 individual couples of the same or of both species was observed at two ages: 10 days, ("young inexperienced") and 18-20 days ("old," either "inexperienced" or "experienced," if either the male or the female had copulated previously). In the 1186 (39.97%) pairs that mated, the latency to copula and duration of copula were registered. Age has a different effect in both species: "young" Drosophila pavani and "old" Drosophila gaucha females are less receptive to males of either species of the corresponding age. The receptivity of females is also reflected in heterospecific matings, as Drosophila gaucha males increase their mating activity with age. In both species, female receptivity decreases with experience, whereas mating activity of males increases with experience, especially that of Drosophila gaucha toward heterospecific females. Drosophila pavani females take longer to mate than those of Drosophila gaucha. In both species "old" males tend to mate faster, whereas experience increases the latency to mating in females and decreases it in males. Both species differ significantly in the duration of copula. It is longer in Drosophila pavani than in Drosophila gaucha and is determined mainly by the male. The duration of copula increases with age, especially in Drosophila pavani females, whereas it is reduced in males of the same species.

Aging↗

PubMed1995

Three experiments on mate choice in meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus).

Species differences in selectivity with respect to mate choice have been hypothesized to be related to mating systems. Procedures used in 3 previous experiments on monogamous prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster) and polygamous montane voles (M. montanus) were used with polygamous meadow voles (M. pennsylvanicus). The expectation was that meadow voles would show few preferences. Female meadow voles preferred mating with familiar versus unfamiliar males but displayed no preference for unmated versus mated males. Male meadow voles displayed no preference for unmated versus mated females. The results are partially consistent with the hypothesis that relates mate choice to social and mating system, as this polygamous species resembles polygamous montane voles species in 2 situations but is similar to monogamous prairie voles in the 3rd.

Animals↗

PubMed1976

Role of mate's previous experience in ring dove hormone-induced incubation.

Progesterone-induced incubation was examined in 40 pairs of adult ring doves, differing in their previous reproductive experience (courtship vs. nest building) and the previous reproductive experience of their mates (courtship vs. nest building) during testing. Only the previous experience of the experimental subject significantly affected the establishment of incubation during the 24-hr test period. More doves experienced with nest building established incubation than did courtship-experienced doves. The latency to enter the nest area and the latency to stand on the nest were affected by both the previous breeding experience of the subject and the previous breeding experience of its mate. Nest-building-experienced mates decreased the latencies of courtship-experienced subjects, and courtship-experienced mates increased the latencies of nest-building-experienced doves. Males were not more affected by their mates' experience than were females. Time spent on the nest was affected only by the subject's previous experience and sex. While the hypothesis that the behavior of the mate can affect a dove's progesterone-induced incubation was not confirmed, the mate's behavior can affect some of the components of nest responsiveness.

Animals↗

PubMed1976

Estimation of assortative mating preferences in the Arctic skua.

Methods are described for the maximum likelihood estimation of mating preferences in models of assortative mating for monogamous and polygamous organisms. These methods are applied to data of matings of the three phenotypes, pale, intermediated and dark of the Arctic Skua. The data were obtained by exhaustive surveys of the Arctic Skua populations on the islands of Fair Isle and Foula. The data give evidence of significant assortative mating of pale birds on Foula and intermediate birds on Fair Isle. The combined data show that there is very highly significant assortative mating, but only of intermediates. In previous surveys, data, in which intermediates and darks were not distinguished, were obtained from a number of islands in the Shetlands. These data, combined with the present data, show that the overall assortative mating of pale is very highly significant with no evidience of heterogeneity. The assortative mating of intermediate birds on Fair Isle agrees with other evidence showing that inermediate males have an advantage as a result of sexual selection.

Animals↗

PubMed1979

The use of twins in the analysis of assortative mating.

The simulations illustrated show that a plausible model for mate selection can generate data on the similarity of twins and their spouses which are remarkably consistent with a transitive model for the effects of mate selection. This is, biological considerations impose constraints upon the relative values of correlations which are not foreseen, for example, by the some advocates of conventional path models although they might be predicted by common sense. In particular, the correlation between the spouses of twins is expected to be non-zero under a model of phenotypic assortment and turns out to be approximately equal to the product of the twin correlation and the square of the marital correlation. The relative magnitudes of the correlations derived from an empirical study of such relationships should enable models of phenotypic assortment to be tested more rigorously. Including both identical and non-identical twins in the sample studied should permit the inherited and cultural components of the mating system to be identified with more conviction. In the event of one sex playing a more significant role in mate selection for particular traits, such studies should reveal diagnostic patterns of familial correlations as long as male and female twins and their spouses are analysed separately. If the analysis is restricted to phenotypic correlations of the parents, the qualitative findings do not appear to be greatly affected by selection due to assortative mating although a reduction in variance is to be expected if a large proportion of individuals is unable to mate. In such cases twins will also be significantly concordant for mating. The consequences of such varied regimes of assortation for the population structure and the relationship between traits in subsequent generations remain the object of future inquiry.

Female↗

PubMed1989

Genetic differences in mating success and female choice in seaweed flies (Coelopa frigida).

An association is described in seaweed flies, Coelopa frigida, between the genotype at the alcohol dehydrogenase (Adh) locus and mating success in pairwise mating trials. Significantly higher mating success was observed in females that carried the Adh-C allele, but no association was observed between Adh genotype and male mating success. There was heterogeneity in the success of different combinations of males and females, but only when the female lacked the C allele. Analyses of video recordings indicated that C-bearing females spent longer mounted by males and that they less frequently rejected males. Evidence is presented for mate discrimination by females not carrying a C allele. The significance of there being genetic differences in both mating success and in female discrimination are discussed in the context of previous results on mating behaviour in natural populations.

Alcohol Dehydrogenase↗

PubMed2004

Post-mating clutch piracy in an amphibian.

Female multiple mating and alternative mating systems can decrease the opportunity for sexual selection. Sperm competition is often the outcome of females mating with multiple males and has been observed in many animals, and alternative reproductive systems are widespread among species with external fertilization and parental care. Multiple paternity without associated complex behaviour related to mating or parental care is also seen in simultaneously spawning amphibians and fishes that release gametes into water. Here we report 'clutch piracy' in a montane population of the common frog Rana temporaria, a reproductive behaviour previously unknown in vertebrates with external fertilization. Males of this species clasp the females and the pair deposits one spherical clutch of eggs. No parental care is provided. 'Pirate' males search for freshly laid clutches, clasp them as they would do a female and fertilize the eggs that were left unfertilized by the 'parental' male. This behaviour does not seem to be size-dependent, and some males mate with a female and perform clutch piracy in the same season. Piracy affected 84% of the clutches and in some cases increased the proportion of eggs fertilized, providing direct fitness benefits both for the pirate males and the females. Sexual selection--probably caused by a strong male-biased sex ratio--occurs in this population, as indicated by size-assortative mating; however, clutch piracy may reduce its impact. This provides a good model to explore how alternative mating strategies can affect the intensity of sexual selection.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

Population genetics of sporophytic self-incompatibility in Senecio squalidus L. (Asteraceae) II: a spatial autocorrelation approach to determining mating behaviour in the presence of low S allele diversity.

We recently estimated that as few as six S alleles represent the extent of S locus diversity in a British population of the self-incompatible (SI) coloniser Senecio squalidus (Oxford Ragwort). Despite the predicted constraints to mating imposed by such a low number of S alleles, S. squalidus maintains a strong sporophytic self-incompatibility (SSI) system and there is no evidence for a breakdown of SSI or any obvious negative reproductive consequences for this highly successful coloniser. The present paper assesses mating behaviour in an Oxford S. squalidus population through observations of its effect on spatial patterns of genetic diversity and thus the extent to which it is responsible for ameliorating the potentially detrimental reproductive consequences of low S allele diversity in British S. squalidus. A spatial autocorrelation (SA) treatment of S locus and allozyme polymorphism data for four loci indicates that mating events regularly occur at all the distance classes examined from 60 to 480 m throughout the entire sample population. Less SA is observed for S locus data than for allozyme data in accordance with the hypothesis that SSI and low diversity at the S locus are driving these large-scale mating events. The limited population structure at small distances of 60 m and less observed for SA analysis of the Me-2 locus and by F-statistics for all the allozyme data, is evidence of some local relatedness due to limited seed and pollen dispersal in S. squalidus. However, the overall impression of mating dynamics in this S. squalidus population is that of ample potential mating opportunities with many individuals at large population scales, indicating that reproductive success is not seriously affected by few S alleles available for mating interactions.

Alleles↗

PubMed2003

Population structure, mating system, and sex-determining allele diversity of the parasitoid wasp Habrobracon hebetor.

Besides haplo-diploid sex determination, where females develop from fertilized diploid eggs and males from unfertilized haploid eggs, some Hymenoptera have a secondary system called complementary sex determination (CSD). This depends on genotypes of a 'sex locus' with numerous sex-determining alleles. Diploid heterozygotes develop as females, but diploid homozygotes become sterile or nonviable diploid males. Thus, when females share sex-determining alleles with their mates and produce low fitness diploid males, CSD creates a genetic load. The parasitoid wasp Habrobracon hebetor has CSD and displays mating behaviours that lessen CSD load, including mating at aggregations of males and inbreeding avoidance by females. To examine the influence of population structure and the mating system on CSD load, we conducted genetic analyses of an H. hebetor population in Wisconsin. Given the frequency of diploid males, we estimated that the population harboured 10-16 sex-determining alleles. Overall, marker allele frequencies did not differ between subpopulations, but frequencies changed dramatically between years. This reduced estimates of effective size of subpopulations to only N3 approximately 20-50, which probably reflected annual fluctuations of abundance of H. hebetor. We also determined that the mating system is effectively monogamous. Models relating sex-determining allele diversity and the mating system to female productivity showed that inbreeding avoidance always decreased CSD loads, but multiple mating only reduced loads in populations with fewer than five sex-determining alleles. Populations with N3 less than 100 should have fewer sex-determining alleles than we found, but high diversity could be maintained by a combination of frequency-dependent selection and gene flow between populations.

Alleles↗