Cross-generational fitness benefits of mating and male seminal fluid.
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ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Priest NK
PROVIDER: S-EPMC2412926 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Feb
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Publications
Cross-generational fitness benefits of mating and male seminal fluid.
Priest Nicholas K NK Roach Deborah A DA Galloway Laura F LF
Biology letters 20080201 1
In many species, the physical act of mating and exposure to accessory gland proteins (Acps) in male seminal fluid reduces female survival and offspring production. It is not clear what males gain from harming their sexual partners or why females mate frequently despite being harmed. Using sterile strains of Drosophila melanogaster that differ in their production of Acps, we found that both the physical act of mating and exposure to male seminal fluid in mothers increase the fitness of daughters. ...[more]
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