Is sperm morphology functionally related to sperm swimming ability? A case study in a wild passerine bird with male hierarchies.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Sexual selection continues after copulation via either sperm competition or cryptic female choice, and favors sperm traits that maximize sperm competitiveness. Both sperm swimming velocity and longevity are important determinants of the outcome of sperm competition. Theoretically, sperm morphology can influence sperm velocity at least in three different non-exclusive ways: (i) longer sperm may generate more propelling thrust, (ii) bigger midpieces may produce more energy, and/or (iii) larger flagella or mid-pieces relative to the head size may compensate for the drag forces around the head. A growing number of studies have investigated the relationship of sperm morphology with sperm performance, which remains equivocal at both the inter- and intra-specific levels. Here,

SUBMITTER: Rojas Mora A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6146611 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature