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During fertilization, an egg and sperm cell fuse to create a new diploid structure. In humans, the process occurs once the egg has been released from the ovary, and travels into the fallopian tubes. The process requires several key steps: 1) sperm present in the genital tract must locate the egg; 2) once there, sperm need to release enzymes to help them burrow through the protective zona pellucida of the egg; and 3) the membranes of a single sperm cell and egg must fuse, with the sperm...
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Updated: Jan 5, 2026

Sperm Collection of Differential Quality Using Density Gradient Centrifugation
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Complex interactions between sperm viability and female fertility.

Maximiliano Tourmente1, C Ruth Archer2,3, David J Hosken2

  • 1Centre for Ecology and Conservation, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Penryn, United Kingdom. mt519@exeter.ac.uk.

Scientific Reports
|October 27, 2019
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Higher sperm viability in Drosophila males enhances competitiveness but can lead to short-term egg wastage in females. This study reveals a complex interplay affecting female fitness and potential sexual conflict.

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Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary biology
  • Reproductive biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Sperm viability is a key male reproductive trait linked to sperm competitiveness.
  • The impact of sperm viability on female fitness remains less understood.
  • Genetic variation in sperm viability exists within species.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate genetic variation in sperm viability in Drosophila simulans.
  • To determine the effect of sperm viability on female reproductive fitness.
  • To explore potential sexual conflict arising from optimal sperm viability.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized 32 isogenic Drosophila simulans lines to assess genetic variation in sperm viability.
  • Mated females with males from low or high sperm viability genotypes.
  • Measured female fitness components including egg-laying and total offspring production.

Main Results:

  • Significant genetic variation and high repeatability of sperm viability were observed among genotypes.
  • Females mated to high sperm viability males showed increased early egg-laying (first 7 hours).
  • Despite initial increases, total offspring numbers did not significantly differ, suggesting potential egg wastage.

Conclusions:

  • Mating with high sperm viability males enhances long-term female fitness but may incur short-term costs.
  • High quality ejaculates could lead to egg wastage, indicating a potential female fitness penalty.
  • These findings suggest a possible sexual conflict over the optimal level of sperm viability.