Are secondary sex traits, parasites and immunity related to variation in primary sex traits in the Arctic charr?

ABSTRACT: Primary and secondary sex traits are influenced by the same sex hormones, and the expression of secondary sex traits may consequently signal males' capacity for sperm production. Sperm quality may also be influenced by immune activity, as sperm are non-self to the male. Parasite infections alter immune activity and may thus reduce ejaculate quality. In the Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus) the red abdominal colour is considered an ornament that signals important information in mate choice. We captured and individually caged sexually mature male Arctic charr during the spawning period. Afterwards we estimated abdominal colour, parasite infections, gonad mass and several spermatological and immunological variables. Intensity of abdominal colour was positively correlated to testes mass, milt

SUBMITTER: Masvaer M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1809974 | biostudies-literature | 2004 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature