Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Competition02:34

Competition

When organisms require the same limited resources within an environment, they may have to compete for them. Competition is a net-negative interaction. Even if two competing individuals or populations do not interact directly, the overall fitness of both competitors is lowered as a result of not having full access to the limited resource.Intraspecific competition, which occurs between individuals of the same species, serves as a natural mechanism for regulating population size. Too much...
Spermatogenesis01:41

Spermatogenesis

Spermatogenesis is the process by which haploid sperm cells are produced in the male testes. It starts with stem cells located close to the outer rim of seminiferous tubules. These spermatogonial stem cells divide asymmetrically to give rise to additional stem cells (meaning that these structures “self-renew”), as well as sperm progenitors, called spermatocytes. Importantly, this method of asymmetric mitotic division maintains a population of spermatogonial stem cells in the male reproductive...
Spermatogenesis01:22

Spermatogenesis

Spermatogenesis is a complex process that involves the development of sperm cells from undifferentiated stem cells in the seminiferous tubules of the testes. The process is essential for the production of mature and functional sperm cells that are capable of fertilizing an egg.
The process of spermatogenesis can be divided into mitosis, meiosis, and spermiogenesis. During mitosis, the spermatogonia or stem cells divide to produce two identical daughter cells, type A and B spermatogonia. Type-A...
Understanding Species and Reproductive Barriers01:17

Understanding Species and Reproductive Barriers

A species is a group of organisms that interbreed and produce fertile offspring. Typically, individuals of the same species appear similar and share common characteristics due to their highly similar genomes. However, not all organisms that look alike are members of the same species. Various mechanisms keep most species discrete. While some mechanisms prevent reproductive behavior and fertilization (pre-zygotic isolation), others prevent the production of fertile offspring after mating has...
Sperm Transport01:15

Sperm Transport

The journey of sperm from its origin to the point of ejaculation begins within the seminiferous tubules of the testis. Here, Sertoli cells produce fluid that propels non-motile sperm through a series of conduits, starting with the straight tubules leading to the rete testis. This interconnected network of tubules acts as the initial pathway for sperm, guiding them into the efferent ductules and then into the epididymis for maturation.
The maturation phase occurs in the epididymis, where sperm...
Sperm Structure and Semen Composition01:22

Sperm Structure and Semen Composition

During ejaculation, males release around 2-5 milliliters of semen, which is a complex mixture of mature sperm and various fluids produced by accessory glands. The mature sperm cells measure approximately 60 micrometers in length and consist of a head, neck, midpiece, and tail. The head is flattened and tapered, measuring about 4 to 5 micrometers in length. It contains a nucleus with condensed chromosomes and an acrosome, a cap-like structure filled with enzymes essential for penetrating the...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Can we build an ark?

Trends in ecology & evolution·2011
Same author

Local extinction in a small and declining population: wild dogs in the Serengeti.

Proceedings. Biological sciences·1995
Same author

Molecular genetic and morphological analyses of the African wild dog (Lycaon pictus).

The Journal of heredity·1993
Same author

Deficient testicular and adrenal steroidogenesis in mutant cream (e/e) Syrian hamsters.

Revista espanola de fisiologia·1993
Same author

Urinary androgen concentrations and social status in two species of free ranging zebra (Equus burchelli and E. grevyi).

Journal of reproduction and fertility·1990
Same author

Olfactory discrimination of estrous condition by the male golden hamster (Mesocricetus auratus).

Behavioral and neural biology·1989
Same journal

The host-microbiome dimension of ecological regime shifts.

Trends in ecology & evolution·2026
Same journal

The emerging field of wild animal welfare science.

Trends in ecology & evolution·2026
Same journal

Integrating nutritional mutualists into the evolution of defense.

Trends in ecology & evolution·2026
Same journal

Formation of three great Asian plateaus, climate change, and biodiversity: (Trends Ecol. Evol. 40, 970-982; 2025).

Trends in ecology & evolution·2026
Same journal

Digital twins as a tool for ecosystem research.

Trends in ecology & evolution·2026
Same journal

Constraint and convergence in the evolution of vertebrate sound production.

Trends in ecology & evolution·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 5, 2026

Assessing Differences in Sperm Competitive Ability in Drosophila
09:34

Assessing Differences in Sperm Competitive Ability in Drosophila

Published on: August 22, 2013

Sperm competition in mammals.

J R Ginsberg1, U W Huck

  • 1J.R. Ginsberg is at the Dept of Zoology, South Parks Rd, Oxford OX1 3PS, UK.

Trends in Ecology & Evolution
|January 14, 2011
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Female promiscuity in mammals triggers sperm competition, driving evolutionary adaptations. While lab studies reveal mechanisms, field data show these theories don't fully explain real-world mammalian behaviors.

More Related Videos

Sperm Collection of Differential Quality Using Density Gradient Centrifugation
03:28

Sperm Collection of Differential Quality Using Density Gradient Centrifugation

Published on: November 29, 2018

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 5, 2026

Assessing Differences in Sperm Competitive Ability in Drosophila
09:34

Assessing Differences in Sperm Competitive Ability in Drosophila

Published on: August 22, 2013

Sperm Collection of Differential Quality Using Density Gradient Centrifugation
03:28

Sperm Collection of Differential Quality Using Density Gradient Centrifugation

Published on: November 29, 2018

Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Animal Behavior
  • Reproductive Biology

Background:

  • Female promiscuity is common in mammals, leading to sperm competition.
  • Sperm competition has driven numerous evolutionary adaptations in males.
  • Understanding these adaptations is crucial for reproductive biology.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent advancements in understanding sperm competition in mammals.
  • To compare laboratory findings with field observations of mammalian reproductive behavior.
  • To identify discrepancies between experimental and naturalistic studies of sperm competition.

Main Methods:

  • Synthesis of recent laboratory research on sperm competition mechanisms.
  • Analysis of field data from diverse mammalian species.
  • Comparative review of theoretical predictions versus empirical observations.

Main Results:

  • Laboratory studies have elucidated physiological and behavioral mechanisms of sperm competition.
  • Field studies provide data testing sperm competition theory across various mammals.
  • A notable gap exists between laboratory-derived theories and observed field behaviors.

Conclusions:

  • Laboratory research offers valuable insights into sperm competition.
  • Field observations highlight the complexity and variability of mammalian reproductive strategies.
  • Further research is needed to reconcile laboratory findings with ecological realities.