Promiscuity in mice is associated with increased vaginal bacterial diversity.

ABSTRACT: Differences in the number of sexual partners (i.e., mating system) have the potential to exert a strong influence on the bacterial communities present in reproductive structures like the vagina. Because this structure serves as a conduit for gametes, bacteria present there may have a pronounced, direct effect on host reproductive success. As a first step towards the identification of the relationship between sexual behavior and potentially pathogenic bacterial communities inhabiting vital reproductive structures, as well as their potential effects on fitness, I sought to quantify differences in bacterial diversity in a promiscuous and monogamous mammal species. To accomplish this, I used two sympatric species of Peromyscus rodents--Peromyscus californicus and Peromyscus maniculatus that di

SUBMITTER: MacManes MD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3337646 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature