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Sperm competition and ejaculate evolution.

Nina Wedell1

  • 1Centre for Ecology and Conservation, School of Biosciences, University of Exeter, Cornwall Campus, Penryn, UK. N.Wedell@Exeter.ac.uk

Society of Reproduction and Fertility Supplement
|July 25, 2007
PubMed
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Males strategically adjust ejaculate traits, like sperm count, based on sperm competition levels and female fertility. This strategic ejaculation can reduce female fertility, leading to sexual conflict and the evolution of manipulative ejaculates.

Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary biology
  • Reproductive strategies
  • Sexual selection

Background:

  • Sperm competition drives the evolution of increased sperm production.
  • Sperm and ejaculate production incur significant costs, potentially limiting male mating rates.
  • Males are expected to strategically allocate ejaculates to maximize fertilization success.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review evidence for sperm production costs and male ejaculate tailoring.
  • To examine how males adjust ejaculates based on sperm competition and female fecundity.
  • To explore the evolutionary consequences of ejaculate production costs and strategic ejaculation.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on sperm competition, ejaculate production costs, and male mating strategies.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Analysis of evidence for male sensitivity to cues of sperm competition and female fecundity.
  • Examination of the influence of outbreeding, inbreeding costs, and reproductive parasites on ejaculate variation.

    • Main Results:

    • Males adjust ejaculate traits in response to varying sperm competition levels and female fecundity.
    • Ejaculate production costs influence male ejaculate strategies concerning outbreeding, inbreeding, and parasites.
    • Male strategic ejaculation can reduce female fertility, potentially causing sexual conflict.
    • Evolution of manipulative ejaculates (e.g., mating plugs, non-fertile sperm) reduces sperm competition.

    Conclusions:

    • Male ejaculate strategies are shaped by the costs of sperm production and the intensity of sperm competition.
    • Strategic ejaculation by males can lead to reduced female fertility and sexual conflict.
    • Manipulative ejaculates evolve to circumvent sperm competition, sometimes at a cost to females.