Ovarian fluid allows directional cryptic female choice despite external fertilization.

ABSTRACT: In species with internal fertilization, females can favour certain males over others, not only before mating but also within the female's reproductive tract after mating. Here, we ask whether such directional post-mating (that is, cryptic) female mate choice can also occur in species with external fertilization. Using an in vitro sperm competition experiment, we demonstrate that female ovarian fluid (ovarian fluid) changes the outcome of sperm competition by decreasing the importance of sperm number thereby increasing the relative importance of sperm velocity. We further show that ovarian fluid does not differentially affect sperm from alternative male phenotypes, but generally enhances sperm velocity, motility, straightness and chemoattraction. Under natural conditions, female ovarian flu

SUBMITTER: Alonzo SH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4990696 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature