Ocean acidification alters sperm responses to egg-derived chemicals in a broadcast spawning mussel.

ABSTRACT: The continued emissions of anthropogenic carbon dioxide are causing progressive ocean acidification (OA). While deleterious effects of OA on biological systems are well documented in the growth of calcifying organisms, lesser studied impacts of OA include potential effects on gamete interactions that determine fertilization, which are likely to influence the many marine species that spawn gametes externally. Here, we explore the effects of OA on the signalling mechanisms that enable sperm to track egg-derived chemicals (sperm chemotaxis). We focus on the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis, where sperm chemotaxis enables eggs to bias fertilization in favour of genetically compatible males. Using an experimental design based on the North Carolina II factorial breeding design, we test wh

SUBMITTER: Lymbery RA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8984365 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature