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J Vis Exp

Title:		A Method to Test the Effect of Environmental Cues on Mating Behavior in Drosophila melanogaster
Author(s):		Gorter JA; Billeter JC;
Address:		"Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen. Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen; j.c.billeter@rug.nl"
Journal Title:		J Vis Exp
Year:		2017
Volume:		20170717
Issue:		125
Page Number:		-
DOI:		10.3791/55690
ISSN/ISBN:		1940-087X (Electronic) 1940-087X (Linking)
Abstract:		"An individual's sexual drive is influenced by genotype, experience and environmental conditions. How these factors interact to modulate sexual behaviors remains poorly understood. In Drosophila melanogaster, environmental cues, such as food availability, affect mating activity offering a tractable system to investigate the mechanisms modulating sexual behavior. In D. melanogaster, environmental cues are often sensed via the chemosensory gustatory and olfactory systems. Here, we present a method to test the effect of environmental chemical cues on mating behavior. The assay consists of a small mating arena containing food medium and a mating couple. The mating frequency for each couple is continuously monitored for 24 h. Here we present the applicability of this assay to test environmental compounds from an external source through a pressurized air system as well as manipulation of the environmental components directly in the mating arena. The use of a pressurized air system is especially useful to test the effect of very volatile compounds, while manipulating components directly in the mating arena can be of value to ascertain a compound's presence. This assay can be adapted to answer questions about the influence of genetic and environmental cues on mating behavior and fecundity as well as other male and female reproductive behaviors"
Keywords:		"Animals Drosophila melanogaster/*physiology Female Male Peptones/pharmacology Reproduction/drug effects Sexual Behavior, Animal/*drug effects/physiology Video Recording Volatile Organic Compounds/*pharmacology Yeasts/chemistry/metabolism;"
Notes:		"MedlineGorter, Jenke A Billeter, Jean-Christophe eng 2017/07/27 J Vis Exp. 2017 Jul 17; (125):55690. doi: 10.3791/55690"