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Genetics

Title:		Sperm status regulates sexual attraction in Caenorhabditis elegans
Author(s):		Morsci NS; Haas LA; Barr MM;
Address:		"Department of Genetics, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, USA. nmorsci@gmail.com"
Journal Title:		Genetics
Year:		2011
Volume:		20111003
Issue:		4
Page Number:		1341 - 1346
DOI:		10.1534/genetics.111.133603
ISSN/ISBN:		1943-2631 (Electronic) 0016-6731 (Print) 0016-6731 (Linking)
Abstract:		"Mating behavior of animals is regulated by the sensory stimuli provided by the other sex. Sexually receptive females emit mating signals that can be inhibited by male ejaculate. The genetic mechanisms controlling the release of mating signals and encoding behavioral responses remain enigmatic. Here we present evidence of a Caenorhabditis elegans hermaphrodite-derived cue that stimulates male mating-response behavior and is dynamically regulated by her reproductive status. Wild-type males preferentially mated with older hermaphrodites. Increased sex appeal of older hermaphrodites was potent enough to stimulate robust response from mating-deficient pkd-2 and lov-1 polycystin mutant males. This enhanced response of pkd-2 males toward older hermaphrodites was independent of short-chain ascaroside pheromones, but was contingent on the absence of active sperm in the hermaphrodites. The improved pkd-2 male response toward spermless hermaphrodites was blocked by prior insemination or by genetic ablation of the ceh-18-dependent sperm-sensing pathway of the hermaphrodite somatic gonad. Our work suggests an interaction between sperm and the soma that has a negative but reversible effect on a hermaphrodite-derived mating cue that regulates male mating response, a phenomenon to date attributed to gonochoristic species only"
Keywords:		"Animals;Animals Caenorhabditis elegans/*physiology Female Male *Sexual Behavior, Animal Spermatozoa/*physiology;"
Notes:		"MedlineMorsci, Natalia S Haas, Leonard A Barr, Maureen M eng R01 DK059418/DK/NIDDK NIH HHS/ DK059418/DK/NIDDK NIH HHS/ Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't 2011/10/05 Genetics. 2011 Dec; 189(4):1341-6. doi: 10.1534/genetics.111.133603. Epub 2011 Oct 3"