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FRIBIO-Biologi og biomedisin

Does ovarian fluid favour MHC-dissimilar sperm?

Awarded: NOK 2.7 mill.

When males provide nothing but genes, female choice of mates is expected to favour individuals that can best increase offspring survival. This selection process may not only occur at an individual level, but also on the gamete level. Recent studies have i ndicated that the ova may select sperm on a genetic basis. Potential candidates for such selection are genes of the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) which are controlling disease resistance. This study questions the existence of MHC based disassorta tive sperm choice in ovarian fluid and ova of Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus). Sperm swimming behaviour have been shown to differ depending on which female`s ovarian fluid they are exposed to. More specifically, sperm velocity of males not sharing MHC a lleles with females is higher compared to males sharing MHC alleles when measured in ovarian fluid. The mechanism to this selective regulation of sperm velocity may be related to the production of specific antibodies towards self MHC molecules in females which attach to MHC molecules on the sperm surface and hinder proper swimming behaviour. With its focus on the mechanisms for selection of disease resistance and offspring survival in external fertilizers, this project has particular implications for huma n management of fish populations.

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FRIBIO-Biologi og biomedisin

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