Virtually identical does not mean exactly identical: Discrepancy in energy metabolism between glucose and fructose fermentation influences the reproductive potential of yeast cells.

The physiological efficiency of cells largely depends on the possibility of metabolic adaptations to changing conditions, especially on the availability of nutrients. Central carbon metabolism has an essential role in cellular function. In most cells is based on glucose, which is the primary energy source, provides the carbon skeleton for the biosynthesis of important cell macromolecules, and acts as a signaling molecule. The metabolic flux between pathways of carbon metabolism such as glycolysis, pentose phosphate pathway, and mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation is dynamically adjusted by specific cellular economics responding to extracellular conditions and intracellular demands. Using Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast cells and potentially similar fermentable carbon sources i.e. glucose and fructose we analyzed the parameters concerning the metabolic status of the cells and connected with them alteration in cell reproductive potential. Those parameters were related to the specific metabolic network: the hexose uptake - glycolysis and activity of the cAMP/PKA pathway - pentose phosphate pathway and biosynthetic capacities - the oxidative respiration and energy generation. The results showed that yeast cells growing in a fructose medium slightly increased metabolism redirection toward respiratory activity, which decreased pentose phosphate pathway activity and cellular biosynthetic capabilities. These differences between the fermentative metabolism of glucose and fructose, lead to long-term effects, manifested by changes in the maximum reproductive potential of cells.

Cellular Distribution of Aquaporin 3, 7 and 9 in the Male Reproductive System: A Lesson from Bovine Study (Bos taurus).

The increasing incidence of male infertility in humans and animals creates the need to search for new factors that significantly affect the course of reproductive processes. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the temporospatial expression of aquaglyceroporins (AQP3, AQP7 and AQP9) in the bovine (Bos taurus) reproductive system using immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. The study also included morphological analysis and identification of GATA-4. In brief, in immature individuals, AQP3 and AQP7 were found in gonocytes. In reproductive bulls, AQP3 was observed in spermatocytes and spermatogonia, while AQP7 was visible in all germ cells and the Sertoli cells. AQP7 and AQP9 were detected in the Leydig cells. Along the entire epididymis of reproductive bulls, aquaglyceroporins were visible, among others, in basal cells (AQP3 and AQP7), in epididymal sperm (AQP7) and in the stereocilia of the principal cells (AQP9). In males of all ages, aquaglyceroporins were identified in the principal and basal cells of the vas deferens. An increase in the expression of AQP3 in the testis and cauda epididymis and a decrease in the abundance of AQP7 in the vas deferens with age were found. In conclusion, age-related changes in the expression and/or distribution patterns of AQP3, AQP7 and AQP9 indicate the involvement of these proteins in the normal development and course of male reproductive processes in cattle.

Ecological variations in adult life table attributes of Aedes aegypti (L.) from the desert and coastal regions of India.

The ecological variation in biological and adult life-table attributes of two populations of Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) from the desert (Jodhpur) and coastal (Kolkata) regions of India are assessed to understand the reproductive and survival strategies. The results showed that females lived longer than males in both strains. The desert strain was more r-strategist because of its higher intrinsic rate of increase (rm  = 0.23), finite rate of increase (λ = 1.25), lower life expectancy of males (7.9 days) and females (14.4 days), mean generation time (T = 19.2 days) and doubling time (DT = 3.0 days). However, there was no difference in net reproductive rate (R0 ) between the desert and coastal strains. The coastal strain showed a longer female life expectancy (22.0 days) than the desert strain (14.4 days). However, the fecundity (eggs/female/day) was lower in the coastal strain (11.4) than in the desert strain (15.1). Conclusively, the desert (Jodhpur) strain is adapted to a better r-strategy than the coastal (Kolkata) strain of Ae. aegypti, which might be helpful to flourish in harsh environmental conditions. This study may provide accurate predictions of Ae. aegypti population dynamics for vector management.

A case report of laparoscopic surgery for Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome with preservation of functional primordial uterus.

BACKGROUND: In the past, the primary treatment for MRKH syndrome (Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome) with a functional primordial uterus was surgical removal of the functional primordial uterus. In rare instances, the endometrium of the functional primordial uterus is well developed, and surgical preservation of the functional primordial uterus provides the possibility of preserving reproductive function for these patients. CASE PRESENTATION: A 14-year-old female was diagnosed with type I MRKH syndrome with a functional primordial uterus through physical examination and imaging investigations. We freed the functional primordial uterus through laparoscopic surgery and excised a portion of the lower myometrium to create an outlet at a lower uterine segment, which we then intermittently anastomosed to the tip of the artificial vagina. The patient recovered well after the surgery, and a re-examination showed no significant abnormalities. CONCLUSION: We were successful in preserving the functional primordial uterus using laparoscopic surgery in a patient with MRKH syndrome and connecting it to an artificial vagina through reconstructive surgery to ensure unobstructed menstrual drainage and preserve the reproductive potential of the patient.

Predatory stink bug, Eocanthecona furcellata (Wolff) responses to oral exposure route of λ-cyhalothrin via sex-specific modulation manner.

The toxic effects of insecticides on predatory arthropods have closely related to their exposure routes. However, little is known about the effects of insecticide on reproductive parameters when the route of exposure occurs at a trophic level via prey intake. We therefore conducted current studies assessing whether Eocanthecona furcellata adults would be affected by feeding with λ-cyhalothrin-contaminated prey. Reproductive parameters, i.e. prolonged premating and preoviposition durations, reduced number of egg batches and egg amount, disturbed ovarian development, and suppressed expression of reproductive related genes were observed in E. furcellata females by feeding with treated prey. Moreover, reduced survival rate and altered carbohydrate metabolism parameters were detected in male bugs. Biochemical parameters, including MDA content, the activities of three antioxidant enzymes and three detoxification enzymes exhibited sex-specific responses after oral-exposure to λ-cyhalothrin in E. furcellata. The results indicate that the insecticide affects the fitness and leads to impairing reproductive potential via sex-specific modulation manner in predator insects. Taken together, our results provide a comprehensive assessment about detrimental impacts of λ-cyhalothrin-exposure on predators via prey intake, as well as a solid basis for further research to protect the predators from hazardous impacts of insecticides.

Sperm-depleted males of the two-spotted spider mite can replenish sperm in a few hours.

In many animals, males increase their reproductive success by mating with as many females as possible. The number of females a male can fertilize is often limited by male competition for access to females, sperm competition, and the cost of sperm production. Especially, recent studies have shown that sperm production is more costly than previously expected. In the two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch, the number of females a male can inseminate is limited mainly by male competition for access to females. However, in the absence of rivals, males mate with so many females that they can become sperm-depleted. Mating without sperm transfer does not produce any offspring, although it takes time and energy. Therefore, a question arises as to why males continue to mate even after sperm depletion. In this study, we hypothesized that males continue to mate because sperm is replenished after a short period. To test the hypothesis, we investigated how long it takes for sperm replenishment after sperm depletion. We found that in 3 h, sperm can be replenished enough to inseminate a few females. As 3 h is sufficiently short not to lose the next mating opportunity, the results support the hypothesis. However, copulation duration in the sperm-replenished males was significantly longer than in the sperm-depleted males but shorter than in males before sperm depletion. To explain the differences, further research would be necessary. In addition, anatomical physiology study in males is also required to confirm that sperm is indeed depleted and replenished.

Valorization of phyto-biomass with tertiary combination of animal dung for enriched vermicompost production.

A study was conducted for 90 days in two cycles on 45thday (Cycle I), and 90th day (Cycle II) in 144 vermibins with precomposted cow dung (T1), elephant dung (T2), cow dung + elephant dung (T3) in combination with leaf substrates of Ficus religiosa, Azadirachta indica, Terminalia catappa, Carica papaya, Vitex negundo, Acalypha indica and Borassus flabellifer to generate nutrient-enriched vermicompost. Different vermibin feedstock materials were retained as experimental setup in other substrates with earthworm (vermicompost) and without earthworm (compost). This method was employed in the current study to decompose environmental leaf debris into the earthworm's mass production and transform it into high-value manure for long-term soil fertility control. The majority of the substrates exhibit pH and electrical conductivity in vermicomposts showed an increment while the total organic carbon and carbon to nitrogen ratio were significantly lowered. A prominent percentage increment of total NPK contents (P < 0.05) in vermicompost over initial values (N: 7.09-164.03; P: 4.39-101.09; K: 0.45-84.10). Among the vermibed substrates, Ficus religiosa leaf litter mixed with T3 showed stabilized cocoons and juveniles in Cycle I (45 days), while sub-adults and adults growth was favored in Cycle II (90 days). The higher reproductive potential of earthworms could be due to the composition and palatability of the substrate combination. This study provides a platform for utilizing leaf wastes in combination with animal wastes amended to reproduce earthworms, nutrient enrichment which could benefit soil fertility improvement.

Role of bioactive xenobiotics towards reproductive potential of Odontotermes longignathus through in silico study: An amalgamation of ecoinformatics and ecotechnological insights of termite mounds from a tropical forest, India.

The present research study has evaluated the roles of different naturally occurring compounds in termite mounds of Odontotermes longignathus (GenBank Id: MZ542727.1) which facilitate to promote higher population growth of termites and subsequent biodegradation. The study has also monitored the change in physicochemical parameters along with the trend of biodegradation of complex organic carbon-based compounds like lignin, polysaccharides etc. and nitrogenous compounds from two different types of termite mounds such as developing (T1) and developed (T2) mounds. The GC MS profiling of mound samples have revealed the occurrence of different humic acids like organic materials in both T1 and T2 mound samples. Both the termite mounds have demonstrated a high population density as T1 (23.67 ± 1.56) individuals and T2 (43.51 ± 2.36) individuals per 0.1 kg of mound materials. Such observations have prompted to undertake molecular docking experiments which revealed that different molecules interact at low binding affinity with hormone receptors involved in moulting, spermatogenesis and oogenesis of termite like Adamantane carboxylate (EcR: -7.6 Kcal/mol; BTB-KLHL10: -6.2 Kcal/mol; USP-LBD: -7.3 Kcal/mol; VgR: -6.8 Kcal/mol), Benzene dicarboxylic acid (EcR: -5.5 Kcal/mol; BTB-KLHL10: -5.1 Kcal/mol; USP-LBD: -5.4 Kcal/mol; VgR: -5.6 Kcal/mol), Hexadecanol (EcR: -6.0 Kcal/mol; BTB-KLHL10: -4.4 Kcal/mol; USP-LBD: -6.9 Kcal/mol; VgR: -6.0 Kcal/mol), oxirane (EcR: -5.3 Kcal/mol; BTB-KLHL10: -4.9 Kcal/mol; USP-LBD: -5.2 Kcal/mol; VgR: -5.3 Kcal/mol) and tocopherol (EcR: -8.0 Kcal/mol; BTB-KLHL10: -5.4 Kcal/mol; USP-LBD: -7.6 Kcal/mol; VgR: -7.0 Kcal/mol). Such spontaneous ligand binding phenomenon coupled with high population density of termites have established the significance of different bioactive xenobiotics in achieving high reproductive potential of termites which in turn facilitate the process of biodegradation and enhance the nutrient enrichment in the soils of tropical deciduous forest.

Males mate with females even after sperm depletion in the two-spotted spider mite.

Generally, males increase their reproductive success by mating with as many females as possible, whereas females increase their reproductive success by choosing males who provide more direct and indirect benefits. The difference in reproductive strategy between the sexes creates intense competition among males for access to females, therefore males spend much energy and time for competition with rival males for their reproduction. However, if they do not need to engage themselves into male competition and females are in no short supply, how many females can a male mate with and fertilize? We address this question in the two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch. In this study, we investigated how many females a young, virgin male mated in 3 h, and checked whether the mated females were fertilized. We found that on average males mated with 12-13 females (range: 5-25). As latency to next mating did not change with the number of matings, the males are predicted to engage in even more matings if the mating trial were continued beyond 3 h. Copulation durations decreased with the number of matings and typically after 11 copulations with females any further copulations did not lead to fertilization, suggesting that males continued to mate with females even after sperm depletion. We discuss why spider mite males continue to display mating and copulation behaviour even after their sperm is depleted.

A Bioinformatics Model of Human Diseases on the Basis of Differentially Expressed Genes (of Domestic Versus Wild Animals) That Are Orthologs of Human Genes Associated with Reproductive-Potential Changes.

Earlier, after our bioinformatic analysis of single-nucleotide polymorphisms of TATA-binding protein-binding sites within gene promoters on the human Y chromosome, we suggested that human reproductive potential diminishes during self-domestication. Here, we implemented bioinformatics models of human diseases using animal in vivo genome-wide RNA-Seq data to compare the effect of co-directed changes in the expression of orthologous genes on human reproductive potential and during the divergence of domestic and wild animals from their nearest common ancestor (NCA). For example, serotonin receptor 3A (HTR3A) deficiency contributes to sudden death in pregnancy, consistently with Htr3a underexpression in guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) during their divergence from their NCA with cavy (C. aperea). Overall, 25 and three differentially expressed genes (hereinafter, DEGs) in domestic animals versus 11 and 17 DEGs in wild animals show the direction consistent with human orthologous gene-markers of reduced and increased reproductive potential. This indicates a reliable association between DEGs in domestic animals and human orthologous genes reducing reproductive potential (Pearson's χ2 test p < 0.001, Fisher's exact test p < 0.05, binomial distribution p < 0.0001), whereas DEGs in wild animals uniformly match human orthologous genes decreasing and increasing human reproductive potential (p > 0.1; binomial distribution), thus enforcing the norm (wild type).

Disruptive natural selection by male reproductive potential prevents underexpression of protein-coding genes on the human Y chromosome as a self-domestication syndrome.

BACKGROUND: In population ecology, the concept of reproductive potential denotes the most vital indicator of chances to produce and sustain a healthy descendant until his/her reproductive maturity under the best conditions. This concept links quality of life and longevity of an individual with disease susceptibilities encoded by his/her genome. Female reproductive potential has been investigated deeply, widely, and comprehensively in the past, but the male one has not received an equal amount of attention. Therefore, here we focused on the human Y chromosome and found candidate single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers of male reproductive potential. RESULTS: Examining in silico (i.e., using our earlier created Web-service SNP_TATA_Z-tester) all 1206 unannotated SNPs within 70 bp proximal promoters of all 63 Y-linked genes, we found 261 possible male-reproductive-potential SNP markers that can significantly alter the binding affinity of TATA-binding protein (TBP) for these promoters. Among them, there are candidate SNP markers of spermatogenesis disorders (e.g., rs1402972626), pediatric cancer (e.g., rs1483581212) as well as male anxiety damaging family relationships and mother's and children's health (e.g., rs187456378). First of all, we selectively verified in vitro both absolute and relative values of the analyzed TBP-promoter affinity, whose Pearson's coefficients of correlation between predicted and measured values were r = 0.84 (significance p <  0.025) and r = 0.98 (p <  0.025), respectively. Next, we found that there are twofold fewer candidate SNP markers decreasing TBP-promoter affinity relative to those increasing it, whereas in the genome-wide norm, SNP-induced damage to TBP-promoter complexes is fourfold more frequent than SNP-induced improvement (p <  0.05, binomial distribution). This means natural selection against underexpression of these genes. Meanwhile, the numbers of candidate SNP markers of an increase and decrease in male reproductive potential were indistinguishably equal to each other (p <  0.05) as if male self-domestication could have happened, with its experimentally known disruptive natural selection. Because there is still not enough scientific evidence that this could have happened, we discuss the human diseases associated with candidate SNP markers of male reproductive potential that may correspond to domestication-related disorders in pets. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, our findings seem to support a self-domestication syndrome with disruptive natural selection by male reproductive potential preventing Y-linked underexpression of a protein.

Negative impact on the reproductive potential of blue jack mackerel Trachurus picturatus by Kudoa infection of the ovary.

Reproduction of Trachurus picturatus off the western Portuguese coast was studied over 1 yr. During histological analyses, the presence of Kudoa sp. was detected in advanced vitellogenic oocytes. Kudoa infections are known to cause economic loss through the induction of post-mortem liquefaction of fish muscles, but ovarian infection as reported in this study will seriously affect the reproductive potential of the species and thus impact fisheries productivity. Only females showed gonad infection which led to total degradation of advanced vitellogenic oocytes. No macroscopic, somatic or condition indices revealed differences between infected and uninfected females, rendering this infection event a concealed suppression of reproduction.

Reproductive Potential of Yeast Cells Depends on Overall Action of Interconnected Changes in Central Carbon Metabolism, Cellular Biosynthetic Capacity, and Proteostasis.

Carbon metabolism is a crucial aspect of cell life. Glucose, as the primary source of energy and carbon skeleton, determines the type of cell metabolism and biosynthetic capabilities, which, through the regulation of cell size, may affect the reproductive capacity of the yeast cell. Calorie restriction is considered as the most effective way to improve cellular physiological capacity, and its molecular mechanisms are complex and include several nutrient signaling pathways. It is widely assumed that the metabolic shift from fermentation to respiration is treated as a substantial driving force for the mechanism of calorie restriction and its influence on reproductive capabilities of cells. In this paper, we propose another approach to this issue based on analysis the connection between energy-producing and biomass formation pathways which are closed in the metabolic triangle, i.e., the respiration-glycolysis-pentose phosphate pathway. The analyses were based on the use of cells lacking hexokinase 2 (∆hxk2) and conditions of different glucose concentration corresponding to the calorie restriction and the calorie excess. Hexokinase 2 is the key enzyme involved in central carbon metabolism and is also treated as a calorie restriction mimetic. The experimental model used allows us to explain both the role of increased respiration as an effect of calorie restriction but also other aspects of carbon metabolism and the related metabolic flux in regulation of reproductive potential of the cells. The obtained results reveal that increased respiration is not a prerequisite for reproductive potential extension but rather an accompanying effect of the positive role of calorie restriction. More important seems to be the changes connected with fluxes in central carbon metabolic pathways resulting in low biosynthetic capabilities and improved proteostasis.

[A decrease in male reproductive potential in Russia: causes, diagnosis, possibilities for correction].

The causes, some pathogenetic mechanisms and possibilities for correcting the decrease in male reproductive potential in Russia are discussed in the lecture. Particular attention is paid to oxidative stress as one of the main causes for subfertility and male infertility, as well as the role of trace elements (zinc, selenium) and antioxidants (vitamins A, E and C) in the pathogenesis of male infertility and opportunities for the correction of fertility issues. Some aspects of COVID-19 influence on the problems of reproductive medicine, andrology and urology are highlighted.

Less is more or more is less: Implications of glucose metabolism in the regulation of the reproductive potential and total lifespan of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast.

Carbohydrates are dietary nutrients that have an influence on cells physiology, cell reproductive capacity and, consequently, the lifespan of organisms. They are used in cellular processes after conversion to glucose, which is the primary source of energy and carbon skeleton for biosynthetic processes. Studies of the influence of glucose on cellular parameters and lifespan of organisms are primarily concerned with the effect of low glucose concentration defined as calorie restriction conditions. However, the effect of high glucose concentration on cell physiology is also very important. Thus, a comparative analysis of the effects of low and high glucose concentration conditions on cell efficiency was proposed with regard to reproductive capacity and total lifespan of the cell. Glucose concentration determines the type of metabolism and biosynthetic capabilities, which in turn, through the regulation on the cell size, may affect the reproductive capacity of cells. This study was conducted on yeast cells of wild-type and mutant strains Δgpa2 and Δgpr1 with glucose signalling pathway impairment. Such an experimental model enabled testing both the role of glucose concentration in the regulation of metabolic changes and the extent to which these changes depend on the extracellular or intracellular glucose concentrations. It has been shown here that calorie/glucose excess connected with changes in cell metabolic fluxes increases biosynthetic capabilities of yeast cells. This leads to an increase in cell dry weight accompanied by the increase in cell size and a simultaneous decrease in the reproductive potential and the overall length of cell life.

Individual asymmetry as a predictor of fitness in the bat Carollia perspicillata.

The measurement of fitness in wild populations is a challenging task, and a number of proxies have been proposed with different degrees of success. Developmental instability/stability (DI) is an organismal property associated with variance in bilateral asymmetry (fluctuating asymmetry-FA) and a correlated effect on fitness. This study provides evidence to corroborate the hypothesis that asymmetry partly reflects DI and is correlated with a reduction in fitness measured by survival and reproduction in bats. We studied two colonies of the bat Carollia perspicillata in southeastern Brazil over 5 years, marking and recapturing individuals. Gaussian mixture models for signed Forearm Asymmetry (ForA) distribution indicated that ~20% of asymmetry variation was due to DI heterogeneity among individuals. ForA, body condition (Scaled Mass Index-SMI) and Forearm Length (ForL) were used as predictors of survival probability in Cormack-Jolly-Seber models. Asymmetry was negatively associated with survival, whereas SMI and ForL were positively associated. The male C. perspicillata defend sites within the roost that are favoured by female harems, but there are mating opportunities for bachelor males, leading to both territorial disputes and sperm competition. As predicted by sexual selection, ForA was negatively associated with relative Testicle Length, a measure of reproductive potential. In females, ForA was negatively associated with the probability of two pregnancies (as opposed to one) in a given breeding season. The effect magnitudes and directions of associations suggest that asymmetry, even though not perfectly reflecting DI variation, is a useful predictor for fitness components in C. perspicillata.

Long-term studies of bighorn sheep and mountain goats reveal fitness costs of reproduction.

Fitness costs of reproduction are expected when resources are limited. Costs drive the evolution of life-history strategies and can affect population dynamics if females change their allocation of resources to reproduction. We studied fitness costs of reproduction in mountain ungulates in Alberta, Canada. We monitored two populations of bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) for 44 and 30 years, and one of mountain goats (Oreamnos americanus) for 30 years. Both species are highly iteroparous. Heterogeneity in individual reproductive potential makes fitness costs of reproduction difficult to detect and quantify without manipulations. In capital breeders, individual differences can be partly accounted for by considering body mass and other correlates of reproductive potential. Long-term monitoring can reveal costs that only manifest under stressful conditions such as disease or resource scarcity. Despite individual differences in reproductive potential, we detected fitness costs of reproduction in females. Costs, in terms of mass gain and survival, are almost entirely born by subsequent offspring, as mothers prioritize their own maintenance and survival. Costs are greater for primiparous females, decrease with increasing body mass and increase as resource availability declines, and sons are costlier than daughters. Costs may increase for senescent females that appear to reduce allocation to reproduction. In bighorn sheep, costs mostly involve reduced mass gain and lower survival of subsequent offspring. In mountain goats, costs include reductions in mass gain, subsequent fecundity and juvenile survival. In males, fitness costs derive mostly from attempts to reproduce rather than from siring success and likely depend upon individual competitiveness. In the absence of selective harvests, dominant males may enjoy high fitness and possibly lower costs compared to subordinates. The conservative reproductive tactic of mountain ungulate females likely explains why density dependence mostly involves later primiparity and lower recruitment, but rarely affects adult survival. Future research will seek to better account for heterogeneity in reproductive potential, assess cumulative reproductive costs and investigate the potential effects of fathers on maternal allocation tactics.

Les coûts de la reproduction émergent lorsque les ressources sont limitées et influencent l'évolution des stratégies d'histoire de vie. Si les femelles modifient l'allocation des ressources dans la reproduction pour mitiger ces coûts, ils peuvent aussi affecter la dynamique de population. Nous avons étudié les coûts de la reproduction chez des ongulés en Alberta, Canada. Nous avons suivi deux populations de mouflons d'Amérique (Ovis canadensis) pour 44 et 30 ans, et une de chèvre de montagne (Oreamnos americanus) pour 30 ans. Ces deux espèces sont itéropares. L'hétérogénéité dans le potentiel reproducteur des individus peut masquer les coûts en fitness liés à la reproduction. Ils sont donc plus souvent détectables à l'aide de manipulation expérimentale. Chez les espèces avec reproduction « sur capital ¼, il est possible de contrôler pour les différences individuelles en incluant des variables liées au potentiel reproducteur telles que la masse corporelle. Les suivis à long terme permettent de détecter des coûts qui se manifestent seulement lors de conditions environnementales défavorables. Malgré les différences en potentiel reproducteur, nous avons détecté des coûts chez les femelles. Ces coûts, tels qu'une réduction en croissance ou en survie, sont presque toujours subis par les jeunes nés lors d'épisodes de reproduction subséquents. En effet, les mères priorisent leur propre maintien et leur survie. Les coûts sont supérieurs pour les femelles primipares et dans les conditions défavorables. Ils sont plus faibles pour les femelles plus lourdes et il semble que les fils soient plus coûteux que les filles. Les coûts augmentent aussi chez les femelles sénescentes qui semblent réduire leur allocation dans la reproduction. Chez les mouflons, les coûts impliquent une réduction du gain en masse et une survie plus faible des jeunes nés lors de reproductions subséquentes. Chez les chèvres de montagne, ces coûts sont accompagnés d'une réduction de la fécondité future. Chez les mâles, les coûts sont surtout influencés par l'investissement en temps et en énergie dans le rut plutôt que par le succès d'accouplement. Ces coûts devraient donc surtout dépendre de l'habileté compétitive individuelle. En absence de chasse sélective, les mâles dominants devraient avoir un fort succès reproducteur avec des coûts potentiellement plus faibles comparativement aux subordonnées. La tactique conservative adoptée par les ongulés de montagne femelles peut expliquer pourquoi les effets densité-dépendant mènent à un retard dans l'âge à la primiparité et à un recrutement plus faible, mais affectent rarement la survie adulte. Nos recherches futures tenteront de mieux quantifier l'hétérogénéité individuelle, évalueront les coûts cumulatifs à la reproduction et investigueront l'effet potentiel des pères sur les tactiques d'allocation maternelles.

Effects of insecticide resistance on the reproductive potential of two sub-strains of the malaria vector Anopheles coluzzii.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: The emergence and spread of insecticide resistance in African malaria vectors raise concerns over the control of malaria disease. Therefore, the implementation of better control strategies need a thorough understanding of the effects and mechanisms of resistance on vector adaptation capacities. We studied the effects of insecticide resistance on the reproductive potential of two laboratory sub-strains of the malaria vector Anopheles coluzzii characterised by phenotypic resistance/susceptibility to DDT. METHODS: The two sub-strains were selected from a laboratory strain of An. coluzzii using WHO test tubes. For each sub-strain, the number of produced and hatched eggs, developmental time, mosquito stages mortality, sex ratio and insemination rates after dissection of spermathecae were compared as measures of reproductive potential. RESULTS: Overall, the susceptible sub-strain produced higher but not significant mean numbers of eggs. However, the mean numbers of hatched eggs, larvae, pupae and adults were significantly lower than those of the resistant substrain. The mean time from egg-hatching to adult-emergence, egg-flooding to hatching, I instar to pupae and pupae to adult were similar between the two sub-strains. The mortality rates at the pupal stage were significantly different between the two sub-strains. Of the dissected spermathecae, 85.1% of the females from the resistant sub-strain were fertilized compared to 66.1% of the females from the susceptible sub-strain (p <0.0001). The resistant sub-strain produced more females in comparison to the susceptible sub-strain (respective mean sex ratio 1.37 vs 1.03, p = 0.01). INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: The results show differential life history traits between the two sub-strains of the malaria vector An. coluzzii, particularly fertility, insemination rate and sex ratio. They may have varied implications for insecticide resistance spread, monitoring and management; and hence underscore the need of further investigations before any generalization.

Candidate SNP markers of reproductive potential are predicted by a significant change in the affinity of TATA-binding protein for human gene promoters.

BACKGROUND: The progress of medicine, science, technology, education, and culture improves, year by year, quality of life and life expectancy of the populace. The modern human has a chance to further improve the quality and duration of his/her life and the lives of his/her loved ones by bringing their lifestyle in line with their sequenced individual genomes. With this in mind, one of genome-based developments at the junction of personalized medicine and bioinformatics will be considered in this work, where we used two Web services: (i) SNP_TATA_Comparator to search for alleles with a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) that alters the affinity of TATA-binding protein (TBP) for the TATA boxes of human gene promoters and (ii) PubMed to look for retrospective clinical reviews on changes in physiological indicators of reproductive potential in carriers of these alleles. RESULTS: A total of 126 SNP markers of female reproductive potential, capable of altering the affinity of TBP for gene promoters, were found using the two above-mentioned Web services. For example, 10 candidate SNP markers of thrombosis (e.g., rs563763767) can cause overproduction of coagulation inducers. In pregnant women, Hughes syndrome provokes thrombosis with a fatal outcome although this syndrome can be diagnosed and eliminated even at the earliest stages of its development. Thus, in women carrying any of the above SNPs, preventive treatment of this syndrome before a planned pregnancy can reduce the risk of death. Similarly, seven SNP markers predicted here (e.g., rs774688955) can elevate the risk of myocardial infarction. In line with Bowles' lifespan theory, women carrying any of these SNPs may modify their lifestyle to improve their longevity if they can take under advisement that risks of myocardial infarction increase with age of the mother, total number of pregnancies, in multiple pregnancies, pregnancies under the age of 20, hypertension, preeclampsia, menstrual cycle irregularity, and in women smokers. CONCLUSIONS: According to Bowles' lifespan theory-which links reproductive potential, quality of life, and life expectancy-the above information was compiled for those who would like to reduce risks of diseases corresponding to alleles in own sequenced genomes. Candidate SNP markers can focus the clinical analysis of unannotated SNPs, after which they may become useful for people who would like to bring their lifestyle in line with their sequenced individual genomes.

Current indirect fitness and future direct fitness are not incompatible.

In primitively eusocial insects, many individuals function as workers despite being capable of independent reproduction. Such altruistic behaviour is usually explained by the argument that workers gain indirect fitness by helping close genetic relatives. The focus on indirect fitness has left open the question of whether workers are also capable of getting direct fitness in the future in spite of working towards indirect fitness in the present. To investigate this question, we recorded behavioural profiles of all wasps on six naturally occurring nests of Ropalidia marginata, and then isolated all wasps in individual plastic boxes, giving them an opportunity to initiate nests and lay eggs. We found that 41% of the wasps successfully did so. Compared to those that failed to initiate nests, those that did were significantly younger, had significantly higher frequency of self-feeding behaviour on their parent nests but were not different in the levels of work performed in the parent nests. Thus ageing and poor feeding, rather than working for their colonies, constrain individuals for future independent reproduction. Hence, future direct fitness and present work towards gaining indirect fitness are not incompatible, making it easier for worker behaviour to be selected by kin selection or multilevel selection.