Journal
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Volume 101, Issue 16, Pages 6261-6266Publisher
NATL ACAD SCIENCES
DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0401337101
Keywords
accessory gland proteins; seminal proteins; ovulation; sperm storage; neuromodulators
Categories
Funding
- NICHD NIH HHS [HD38921, R01 HD038921] Funding Source: Medline
Ask authors/readers for more resources
Mating induces changes in female insects, including in egg production, ovulation and laying, sperm storage, and behavior. Several molecules and effects that induce these changes have been identified, but their proximate effects on females remain unexplored. We examined whether vesicle release occurs as a consequence of mating; we used transgenic Drosophila that allow monitoring of secretory granule release at nerve termini. Changes in release occur at specific times postmating in different regions of the female reproductive tract: soon after mating in the lower reproductive tract, and later in the upper reproductive tract. Some changes are triggered by receipt of sperm, others by male seminal proteins, and still others by the act of mating itself (or other unidentified effectors). Our findings indicate that the female reproductive tract is a multi-organ system whose regions are modulated separately by mating and mating components. This modulation could create an environment conducive to increased reproductive capacity.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available