Female choice and the MHC

Ziegler, Andreas; Kentenich, H.; Uchańska-Ziegler, Barbara

doi:10.1016/j.it.2005.07.003

Cited by 106 publications

(95 citation statements)

References 66 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…Consequently, although the Hutterites study clearly points to MHCdisassortative mating, we have to consider the possibility that the excess of dissimilarity observed at the MHC level among European American spouses from the HapMap dataset reflects a combination of pre-copulatory (mate choice) and post-copulatory processes, the latter aiming at further increasing MHC heterozygosity in the offspring [33][34][35][36][37]. This hypothesis is further supported by the observation that genes potentially involved in either prezygotic female choice or pregnancy loss displayed signatures of extreme dissimilarity among spouses in the HapMap dataset [38].…”

Section: Mhc-dependent Mate Choice May Be Restricted To Certain Humanmentioning

confidence: 99%

MHC‐dependent mate choice in humans: Why genomic patterns from the HapMap European American dataset support the hypothesis

Laurent

Chaix

2012

BioEssays

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The role of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) in mate choice in humans is controversial. Nowadays, the availability of genetic variation data at genomic scales allows for a careful assessment of this question. In 2008, Chaix et al. reported evidence for MHC‐dependent mate choice among European American spouses from the HapMap 2 dataset. Recently, Derti et al. suggested that this observation was not robust. Furthermore, when Derti et al. applied similar analyses to the HapMap 3 European American samples, they did not see a significant effect. Although some of the points raised by Derti et al. are relevant, we disagree with the reported absence of evidence for MHC‐dependent mate choice within the HapMap samples. More precisely, we show here that the MHC dissimilarity among HapMap 3 European American spouses is still extreme in comparison to the rest of the genome, even after multiple testing correction. This finding supports the hypothesis of MHC‐dependent mate choice in some human populations.

show abstract

Section: Mhc-dependent Mate Choice May Be Restricted To Certain Humanmentioning

confidence: 99%

MHC‐dependent mate choice in humans: Why genomic patterns from the HapMap European American dataset support the hypothesis

Laurent

Chaix

2012

BioEssays

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…In all of these studies, the underlying mechanisms have not been investigated. The ongoing discussion has been reviewed by Fernandez et al (1999) and Ziegler et al (2005). The overall conclusion is that the MHC is critical for numerous aspects of mammalian reproduction concerning spermatogenesis (Ziegler et al, 2002(Ziegler et al, , 2005, a sperm-selective egg-cumulus complex (Wedekind et al, 1996;Rü licke et al, 1998;Eisenach and Giojalas, 2006), and viability and development of the foetus (Gill, 1992;Ober et al, 1987;Astolfi et al, 1990;Wedekind et al, 1996;Ziegler et al, 2005).…”

Section: Evidence For Historical Selectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

MHC class II DRB diversity, selection pattern and population structure in a neotropical bat species, Noctilio albiventris

et al. 2011

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Genes of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) have a crucial role in the immune response of vertebrates, alter the individual odour and are involved in shaping mating preferences. Pathogen-mediated selection, sexual selection and maternal-fetal interactions have been proposed as the main drivers of frequently observed high levels of polymorphism in functionally important parts of the MHC. Bats constitute the second largest mammalian order and have recently emerged as important vectors of infectious diseases. In addition, Chiroptera are interesting study subjects in evolutionary ecology in the context of olfactory communication, mate choice and associated fitness benefits. Thus, it is surprising that they belong to the least studied mammalian taxa in terms of their MHC diversity. In this study, we investigated the variability in the functionally important MHC class II gene DRB, evidence for selection and population structure in the group-living lesser bulldog bat, Noctilio albiventris, in Panama. We found a single expressed, polymorphic Noal-DRB gene. The substitution pattern of the nucleotide sequences of the 18 detected alleles provided evidence for positive selection acting above the evolutionary history of the species in shaping MHC diversity. Roosting colonies were not genetically differentiated but females showed lower levels of heterozygosity than males, which might be a sign that the sexes differ in the selection pressures acting on the MHC. This study provides the prerequisites for further investigations of the role of the individual MHC constitution in parasite resistance, olfactory communication and mate choice in N. albiventris and other bats.

show abstract

“…However, there is good evidence for the expression of the MHC-linked olfactory receptor genes on spermatozoa in both mice and humans [70]. Because these molecules serve as guidance cues [70], they may adjust sperm motility selectively in response to individual chemical cues in the female reproductive tract [71]. Moreover, mouse fertilisation is non-random with respect to parental MHC genotypes [72], which may promote post-copulatory inbreeding avoidance [73].…”

Section: Choosing For Diversity or For Particular Genes (Hypotheses 2mentioning

confidence: 99%

The hidden benefits of sex: Evidence for MHC‐associated mate choice in primate societies

Setchell

Huchard

2010

BioEssays

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-associated mate choice is thought to give offspring a fitness advantage through disease resistance. Primates offer a unique opportunity to understand MHC-associated mate choice within our own zoological order, while their social diversity provides an exceptional setting to examine the genetic determinants and consequences of mate choice in animal societies. Although mate choice is constrained by social context, increasing evidence shows that MHCdependent mate choice occurs across the order in a variety of socio-sexual systems and favours mates with dissimilar, diverse or specific genotypes non-exclusively. Recent research has also identified phenotypic indicators of MHC quality. Moreover, novel findings rehabilitate the importance of olfactory cues in signalling MHC genes and influencing primate mating decisions. These findings underline the importance to females of selecting a sexual partner of high genetic quality, as well as the generality of the role of MHC genes in sexual selection.

show abstract

Female choice and the MHC

Cited by 106 publications

References 66 publications

MHC‐dependent mate choice in humans: Why genomic patterns from the HapMap European American dataset support the hypothesis

MHC‐dependent mate choice in humans: Why genomic patterns from the HapMap European American dataset support the hypothesis

MHC class II DRB diversity, selection pattern and population structure in a neotropical bat species, Noctilio albiventris

The hidden benefits of sex: Evidence for MHC‐associated mate choice in primate societies

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About