The use of optical tweezers to study sperm competition and motility in primates

Nascimento, Jaclyn M.; Shi, Linda Z.; Meyers, Stuart A.; Gagneux, Pascal; Loskutoff, N.M.; Botvinick, Elliot L.; Berns, Michael W.

doi:10.1098/rsif.2007.1118

Cited by 63 publications

(61 citation statements)

References 22 publications

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“…In the studies summarized, sperm competition risk is assessed using a variety of methods including data on mating systems, rates of extra-pair paternity, number of spermatophores recovered from female reproductive tracts (for some insect species), frequency of males adopting alternative reproductive tactics, female remating rates, reproductive behaviors, and sexual size dimorphism. Hosken (1997Hosken ( , 1998 and Lemaître et al Hosken (1997), Breed & Taylor (2000), Ramm et al (2005), Bryja et al (2008), Gomendio et al (2011) and Montoto et al (2011aMontoto et al ( , 2011b Rose et al (1997) and Tourmente et al (2011b) Primates Harcourt et al (1981Harcourt et al ( , 1995, Møller (1988), Gomendio & Roldan (1991), Kappeler (1997), Anderson & Dixon (2002), Nascimento et al (2008), Lemaître et al (2009) Indicates studies with broad taxonomic coverage.…”

Section: Sperm: Solders In the Battle For Fertilizationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sperm wars and the evolution of male fertility

Simmons¹,

Fitzpatrick²

2012

Reproduction

307

343

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Females frequently mate with several males, whose sperm then compete to fertilize available ova. Sperm competition represents a potent selective force that is expected to shape male expenditure on the ejaculate. Here, we review empirical data that illustrate the evolutionary consequences of sperm competition. Sperm competition favors the evolution of increased testes size and sperm production. In some species, males appear capable of adjusting the number of sperm ejaculated, depending on the perceived levels of sperm competition. Selection is also expected to act on sperm form and function, although the evidence for this remains equivocal. Comparative studies suggest that sperm length and swimming speed may increase in response to selection from sperm competition. However, the mechanisms driving this pattern remain unclear. Evidence that sperm length influences sperm swimming speed is mixed and fertilization trials performed across a broad range of species demonstrate inconsistent relationships between sperm form and function. This ambiguity may in part reflect the important role that seminal fluid proteins (sfps) play in affecting sperm function. There is good evidence that sfps are subject to selection from sperm competition, and recent work is pointing to an ability of males to adjust their seminal fluid chemistry in response to sperm competition from rival males. We argue that future research must consider sperm and seminal fluid components of the ejaculate as a functional unity. Research at the genomic level will identify the genes that ultimately control male fertility.

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Section: Sperm: Solders In the Battle For Fertilizationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sperm wars and the evolution of male fertility

Simmons¹,

Fitzpatrick²

2012

Reproduction

307

343

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“…The tracking and trapping system uses an Nd:YVO4 continuous wave 1064 nm wavelength laser traveling through a series of lenses and mirrors to enter a Zeiss Axiovert S100 microscope and a 40×, phase III, NA 1.3 oil immersion objective as described previously (Nascimento et al 2008a(Nascimento et al , 2008b. The maximum laser power after traveling through the microscope and objective lens is approximately 450 mW at the focal point.…”

Section: Optical Set-up and Real-time Automated Tracking And Trappingmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Since sperm populations do not have Gaussian distributions with respect to motility determinants (Nascimento et al 2008a), the non-parametric Wilcoxon rank sum test was used for statistical analyses (Donnelly et al 2001). Each of the three groups was compared as follows: untreated versus dye; untreated versus dye + CCCP-treated; dye versus dye + CCCP-treated.…”

Section: Motility and Energetics Measurementsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Semen samples for human (Homo sapiens) and dog (Canis lupis familiaris) were obtained and handled as previously described (Nascimento et al 2008a, Nascimento et al 2008b. Drill (Mandrillus leucophaeus) samples were collected weekly and cryopreserved following a protocol similar to dog (Durrant et al 1999).…”

Section: Sample Collection and Preparationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The ideal optical tweezer wavelengths for sperm trapping fall between 800 and 1064 nm (Konig et al 1996). Using laser tweezers, Patrizio found that the swimming force of sperm dramatically increases upon addition of pentoxifylline (Patrizio et al 2000), while Nascimento studied sperm competition based on mating type (polygamous versus monogamous) in several primate species, including human (Nascimento et al 2008a). In addition, the contribution of anaerobic (glycolysis) versus aerobic (oxidative phosphorylation) respiration has been studied using a ratiometric membrane potential dye DiOC 2 (3) (Nascimento et al 2008b).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Optical tweezers and non-ratiometric fluorescent-dye-based studies of respiration in sperm mitochondria

Chen¹,

Shi²,

Zhu³

et al. 2011

J. Opt.

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Optical macro-tweezers: trapping of highly motile micro-organisms G Thalhammer, R Steiger, S Bernet et al. AbstractThe purpose of this study is to investigate how the mitochondrial membrane potential affects sperm motility using laser tweezers and a non-ratiometric fluorescent probe, DiOC 6 (3). A 1064 nm Nd:YVO4 continuous wave laser was used to trap motile sperm at a power of 450 mW in the trap spot. Using customized tracking software, the curvilinear velocity (VCL) and the escape force from the laser tweezers were measured. Human (Homo sapiens), dog (Canis lupis familiaris) and drill (Mandrillus leucophaeus) sperm were treated with DiOC 6 (3) to measure the membrane potential in the mitochondria-rich sperm midpieces. Sperm from all three species exhibited an increase in fluorescence when treated with the DiOC 6 (3). When a cyanide inhibitor (CCCP) of aerobic respiration was applied, sperm of all three species exhibited a reduction in fluorescence to pre-dye levels. With respect to VCL and escape force, the CCCP had no effect on dog or human sperm, suggesting a major reliance upon anaerobic respiration (glycolysis) for ATP in these two species. Based on the preliminary study on drill sperm, CCCP caused a drop in the VCL, suggesting potential reliance on both glycolysis and aerobic respiration for motility. The results demonstrate that optical trapping in combination with DiOC 6 (3) is an effective way to study sperm motility and energetics.

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Chimpanzees

Thompson

Machanda

2015

The International Encyclopedia of Human Sexuality

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Chimpanzees ( Pan troglodytes ) are an anthropoid ape species living across equatorial Africa. They are genetically the closest living relatives to humans, yet display marked differences in their sexual behavior. Chimpanzees engage in brief copulatory encounters and are highly promiscuous, mating with most or all available partners. Female chimpanzee sexual receptivity is defined by an enlarged swelling of the anogenital skin which incites sexual solicitations and male − male competition. Depending on male rank and opportunity, mating may occur promiscuously and uncontested within a large group. Alternatively, males may attempt to protect exclusive access to females by fending off competing males or by escorting the female away from competitors for an exclusive consortship. Salient features of the sexual system of chimpanzees include the importance of energetic condition for the fecundity of females, intense sperm competition among males, and coercive aggression between the sexes.

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The use of optical tweezers to study sperm competition and motility in primates

Cited by 63 publications

References 22 publications

Sperm wars and the evolution of male fertility

Sperm wars and the evolution of male fertility

Optical tweezers and non-ratiometric fluorescent-dye-based studies of respiration in sperm mitochondria

Chimpanzees

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