Female Primate Sexual Behavior and Conception: Are There Really Sperm to Spare? [and Comments and Reply]

Small, Meredith F.; Dare, Ron; Kurland, Jeffrey A.; McGrew, William C.; O’Neil, Mary Kay; Paterson, James D.; Steklis, Horst D.; Thornhill, Nancy Wilmsen; Thornhill, Randy

doi:10.1086/203615

Cited by 61 publications

(52 citation statements)

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“…In support of her hypothesis, Small (1988) pointed out that among male rhesus macaques (Macaca mullata), refractory periods increased and number of thrusts per mount decreased with successive copulations (Michael and Saayman, 1967;Michael and Zumpe, 1978). Furthermore, some primate species such as Macaca mulatta, Microcebus murinus, and Saimiri sciureus produce sperm only during the breeding season (Conaway and Sade, 1965;Kinzey, 1971).…”

Section: Potential Limitations On Spermatogenesismentioning

confidence: 92%

“…The significance of ejaculate limitations in primates is uncertain, although some investigators recommend a closer examination. Small (1988) hypothesized that sperm depletion may be significant under certain conditions, including 1) harem breeding due to the need for one or a few males to inseminate many females; 2) multimale seasonal breeding, with a few males copulating with many females; 3) long recovery periods for sperm replacement; and 4) monogamous conditions when sperm quality is poor. She also suggested that during conditions of female/female competition over desirable mates, females may copulate with the same male many times in order to deplete sperm stores and increase the chances of conception (Small, 1988).…”

Section: Potential Limitations On Spermatogenesismentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Small (1988) presented data from the literature suggesting that human females in polygynous marriages may have lower fertility compared to women in monogamous unions, perhaps revealing male limitations to inseminate multiple females (Gomila, 1975;Isaac, 1980). Small (1988) readily acknowledged that caution is merited in interpreting these results, due to cultural aspects that may affect female fertility independent of male insemination ability. While frequent ejaculations can reduce sperm counts in men (Frank et al, 1986;Matilsky et al, 1993), numbers remain well within the range of acceptable for full fecundity (Cooper et al, 1993).…”

Section: Potential Limitations On Spermatogenesismentioning

confidence: 99%

“…An alternate perspective that may provide insights into primate male energy allocation decisions is illustrated in the elucidation by Small (1988) that spermatogenesis is arrested in some seasonally breeding primates during the nonbreeding season. The same hormonal processes that downregulate spermatogenesis also influence anabolic sex steroids such as testosterone.…”

Section: Potential Limitations On Spermatogenesismentioning

confidence: 99%

“…From this understanding, several theories are presented that attempt to explain male behavior and physiology. The challenge hypothesis addresses the role of individual testosterone variation during competitive interactions in various vertebrates (Wingfield et al, 1990), while theories presented by Dewsbury (1982) and Small (1988) suggest that limitations in sperm delivery may influence male reproductive strategies and involve a reproductive tactic by primate females to compete for desirable males. Finally a hypothesis presented by Bribiescas (1996Bribiescas ( , 1997 suggests that spermatogenesis and male fertility are under modest selective pressure to be sensitive to energy availability due to the minimal metabolic investment in sperm production.…”

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confidence: 99%

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Reproductive ecology and life history of the human male

Bribiescas

2001

Am. J. Phys. Anthropol.

211

117

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Until recently, the reproductive ecology of human males has not been extensively investigated, primarily as a result of the need for a theoretical framework based on the reproductive constraints and energetics of mammalian males. More specifically, male reproductive ecology has necessitated an integrative interpretation of clinical and anthropological data based on the premise that the evolution of human male life histories has involved selection for physiological mechanisms aimed at optimizing trade-offs between survivorship and reproductive effort. This paper attempts to address this gap in our understanding by presenting the current state of male reproductive ecology, including physiologic data from clinical and anthropological investigations as well as recent theoretical developments. Recent investigations outlining population variation in reproductive endocrine function are discussed within the context of potential sources of variation, including energetic expediture, caloric intake, and developmental canalization during adolescence. Additional summaries of male senescence and behavior are presented to provide a complete overview of male life history. Implications of recent anthropological data on contemporary health issues such as prostate cancer and the development of a male contraceptive are also discussed. Finally, several theories are presented that may contribute to our understanding of the evolution of male life histories and reproductive ecology, including theoretical suggestions involving the role of competition, mate choosiness, and potential constraints on male insemination ability, as well as a theory suggesting that male reproductive ecology may be best understood by analyzing energetic allocation decisions between differing somatic tissues that may be indicative of the competing needs for optimizing survivorship and reproductive effort. Directions for future research are finally considered.

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Section: Potential Limitations On Spermatogenesismentioning

confidence: 92%

Section: Potential Limitations On Spermatogenesismentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Potential Limitations On Spermatogenesismentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Potential Limitations On Spermatogenesismentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Reproductive ecology and life history of the human male

Bribiescas

2001

Am. J. Phys. Anthropol.

211

117

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Long-term data on basic reproductive parameters and evaluation of endocrine, morphological, and behavioral measures for monitoring reproductive status in a group of semifree-ranging Tonkean macaques (Macaca tonkeana)

et al. 1996

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Cycle and gestation lengths, menstruation patterns, female genital swelling characteristics, and male‐female consortship durations are reported in a semifree‐ranging group of Tonkean macaques (Macaca tonkeana) studied over a 12 year period. In addition, profiles of urinary estrone conjugates (E1C) and immunoreactive pregnanediol glucuronide (PdG) throughout four complete menstrual cycles in two females and three full‐term pregnancies are presented. Based on intermenstrual intervals, a mean cycle length of 37–41 days (n = 55 cycles in 10 females) was found. Gestation length averaged 173 days (n = 27 pregnancies in eight females). Measurement of PdG immunoreactivity in urine revealed a cyclic pattern with a 5–15‐fold increase between follicular and luteal phase concentrations, suggesting that PdG is a reliable indicator of ovarian cyclicity and luteal function. In contrast to PdG, E1C excretion showed no clear pattern throughout the cycle; however, highest values of E1C were usually found shortly before the onset of the luteal phase PdG rise at the presumed time of ovulation. Levels of both hormones were elevated during the first half of gestation and showed a marked increase throughout the second half, with maximum E1C concentrations being up to 100‐fold higher than nonpregnant levels. Consortships by the male and occurrence of female genital swelling were long lasting (on average 5–10 days and 13 days, respectively) and were restricted to the follicular phase of the cycle. The day of maximal swelling and day of detumescence as well as the end of male consortship were closely associated with the periovulatory period. Swellings and consortships were longer following lactational ammenorhea than for subsequent cycles. The evolutionary significance of the cyclical changes undergone by females upon their relations with males is discussed. © 1996 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.

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