Warmer Temperature Accelerates the Aging-Dependent Decrease in Female Ovary Size, Delays Male Accessory Gland...

Area of Science:

• Entomology
• Reproductive Biology
• Environmental Science

Background:

• Mosquito reproduction involves mating, blood-feeding, oogenesis, and egg-laying.
• Both warmer temperatures and aging reduce mosquito fecundity and fertility.
• Warmer temperatures accelerate age-related reproductive decline in mosquitoes.

Purpose of the Study:

• Investigate the interactive effects of temperature and aging on reproductive tissue size and gene expression in *Anopheles gambiae*.
• Understand how warming accelerates reproductive senescence in malaria mosquitoes.

Main Methods:

• Examined female and male reproductive tissues of *Anopheles gambiae* at different temperatures (27°C, 30°C, 32°C) and ages.
• Measured reproductive gene expression in both sexes.

Main Results:

• Warmer temperatures accelerated age-related decreases in female ovarian size and vitellogenin expression.
• Warmer temperatures lessened and delayed age-related increases in male accessory gland size and altered specific gene expression.
• Specific gene expression changes (e.g., *MISO*, *HPX15*, *Plugin*) were observed in response to temperature and aging.

Conclusions:

• Physical and transcriptional changes in reproductive tissues contribute to accelerated reproductive decline in mosquitoes due to warming.
• Findings provide insights into the mechanisms of warming-induced reproductive senescence in *Anopheles gambiae*.