Gene expression responses of male and female Drosophila melanogaster fruit flies to continuous and intermittent mating

ABSTRACT: The nature of the sex differences underlying costs of mating (i.e. the loss of lifespan associated with frequent mating) that underpin sex differences in lifespan are as yet unknown. In this study, we gained insight into the mechanisms underlying costs of mating in male and female fruit flies by profiling the gene expression of males and females subjected to continuous versus intermittent mating regimes. To obtain the experimental flies, wild type Dahomey flies were reared under standard-density conditions on standard SYA medium. The flies were then set up to experience continuous exposure to the opposite sex versus intermittent exposure (exposed to individuals of the opposite sex every 4 days). The non-focal individuals were renewed every 4 days. After 10 days of exposure to these regimes, n = 50 males and females were snap frozen and the HeadThorax (HT) body parts subjected to RNA-seq. The aim was to profile the gene expression responses of the Head+Thorax body part and describe the proximate responses to variation in mating and exposure to the opposite sex. Overall design: 2 mating treatments (Continuous, Intermittent) x 3 biological replicates x 2 sexes (Male, Female) = 12 samples. RNA was extracted using the miRVana kit and subjected to single end, 50 nt RNA sequencing with standard Illumina adapters on the HiSeq 2500. RNA pools were formed from n = 50 flies per treatment.

INSTRUMENT(S): Illumina HiSeq 2500 (Drosophila melanogaster)

ORGANISM(S): Drosophila Melanogaster

SUBMITTER: Irina Mohorianu  

PROVIDER: GSE85973 | GEO |

REPOSITORIES: GEO