Mating changes the genital microbiome in both sexes of the common bedbug Cimex lectularius across populations.

ABSTRACT: Many bacteria live on host surfaces, in cells and in specific organ systems. In comparison with gut microbiomes, the bacterial communities of reproductive organs (genital microbiomes) have received little attention. During mating, male and female genitalia interact and copulatory wounds occur, providing an entrance for sexually transmitted microbes. Besides being potentially harmful to the host, invading microbes might interact with resident genital microbes and affect immunity. Apart from the investigation of sexually transmitted symbionts, few studies have addressed how mating changes genital microbiomes. We dissected reproductive organs from virgin and mated common bedbugs, Cimex lectularius L., and sequenced their microbiomes to investigate composition and mating-induced changes. We sh

SUBMITTER: Bellinvia S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7282915 | biostudies-literature | 2020 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature