Studies of the effects of variation at the transferrin locus on reproductive processes in deer mice

Abstract

., 1985: Studies of the effects of variation at} the transferrin locus on reproductive processes in deer mice. Acta theriol., 30, 13: 227-240 [With 7 Tables & 1 Fig.] The pattern of inheritance and function of variation at the transferrin locus of deer mice, Peromyscus maniculatus (Hoy et Kennicott, 1857), were assessed in several studies. Despite substantial evidence of such function in other species, consequences of variation at this locus in deer mice were minimal. There was an underrepresentation of animals homozygous for the fast-migrating allele in both homozygote-heterozygote and double heterozygote crosses. There were no significant differences attributable to genotype in breeding performance. With respect to copulatory behavior, there was some evidence of a simall difference attributable to male genotype and several differences related to female genotype. There was no effect on representation in litters resulting from tests in a situation of sperm competition. However, effects of a variety of experimental treatments were consistent with previous results. The transferrin locus of deer mice appears to be useful as a marker gene in studies relating to reproduction and reproductive competition.

Genetic variation in a fluctuating population of the yellow-necked mouse Apodemus flavicollis

“…It is also noteworthy that Gulyaeva and Olenev's (1979) and McGovern and Tracy's (1981) results are not consistent with extensive mating data on the transferrin system in Cletnrionomys, Microtus, Peromyscus and Mus species (see e.g. Maurer 1967, Tamarin and Krebs 1969, Canham and Cameron 1972, Griswold and Dawson 1971, Dewsbury 1985, and Ashton and Dennis 1971. In my study, no differences were found in transferrin electromorphs of A. f.auicollis females in different phases of the reproductive period, and all genotypes found in this population occurred both in females and males.…”

“…: Microtus pennsylvanicus, M. ochrogaster, M. townsendii (Maurer 1967, Tamarin and Krebs 1969, Clethrionomys rutilus, C. gapperi (Canham and Cameron 1972), Peromyscus polionotus (Griswold and Dawson 1971) Peromyscus maniculatus (Dewsbury 1985), Mus musculus (Ashton and Dennis 1970). All these results suggest that transferrin variation is genetically controlled.…”

Mating capacity of male deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus bairdi) copulating with successive females

“…Although all mice were of proven fertilityand the first femalesreceived a mean of 4.9 ejaculations, only 60% delivered litters. This rate is not atypicalfor this species with females in cyclingestrus (e.g., Dewsbury, 1984). That this is not a functionof husbandry conditions is suggested by the high rate when females are in postpartum estrus (Dewsbury, 1979b).…”

Sperm competition and effects of mating order on copulatory behavior in meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus)

“…Males of many rodent species display multiple intromissions prior to ejaculation. Several changes in the pattern of this behavior, the most reliable of which is an increase in the number of intromissions prior to ejaculation, may occur when males mate with recently mated, as opposed to unmated, females (e.g., Dewsbury, , 1985. These changes are consistent with the proposal that one function of the multiple intromissions may be related to cleansing of the female reproductive tract of material from previous males, so that a given male may deposit sperm and a copulatory plug most effectively (Dews bury , 1981).…”

“…Wood shavings were provided as bedding, and water and Purina laboratory rodent chow and lettuce supplements were provided. All the animals were known to be homozygous for one of the two alleles (slow or fast), affecting the rate of migration of transferrin (Trf) as determined by horizontal starch-gel electrophoresis (see Dewsbury, 1985). These will be referred to as "S" and "F" males and females.…”