Mating experiences with the same partner enhanced mating activities of naïve male medaka fish

Abstract

Mating experience shapes male mating behavior across species, from insects, fish, and birds, to rodents. Here, we investigated the effect of multiple mating experiences on male mating behavior in “naïve” (defined as sexually inexperienced) male medaka fish. The latency to mate with the same female partner significantly decreased after the second encounter, whereas when the partner was changed, the latency to mate was not decreased. These findings suggest that mating experiences enhanced the mating activity of naïve males for the familiar female, but not for an unfamiliar female. In contrast, the mating experiences of “experienced” (defined as those having mated > 7 times) males with the same partner did not influence their latency to mate. Furthermore, we identified 10 highly and differentially expressed genes in the brains of the naïve males after the mating experience and revealed 3 genes that are required for a functional cascade of the thyroid hormone system. Together, these findings suggest that the mating experience of naïve male medaka fish influences their mating behaviors, with neural changes triggered by thyroid hormone activation in the brain.

Photoperiod regulates gonadotrope cell division in medaka via melatonin, Tsh and folliculostellate cells

“…For instance, LP was found to stimulate tshba in medaka (56), although the study did not specify the sex. Increase of tshba in medaka is also associated with mating experience in males (57), suggesting that Tsh cells may play a role in medaka reproduction. In chub mackerel, tshba levels are also upregulated in LP fish, and are linked to the increase of fshb and lhb levels in both sexes (58).…”

Effects of past mating behavior versus past ejaculation on male mate choice and male attractiveness

“…Individuals can learn from previous encounters with potential mates and better assess both their own attractiveness and mate availability ( Fawcett and Bleay 2009 ), hence estimating the costs of rejecting a potential mate. Empirical studies consistently demonstrate that naïve (i.e., virgin) and previously mated individuals behave differently when they have the opportunity to mate ( Balaban-Feld and Valone 2018 ; Daimon et al 2022 ; but see Dougherty 2021 ). Naïve males are sometimes less attractive to females ( Edvardsson et al 2008 ; Iyengar 2009 ; Milonas et al 2011 ; Kong et al 2021 ) and/or are less capable of distinguishing among potential mates ( Hebets and Sullivan-Beckers 2010 ).…”