Dietary protein content alters both male and female contributions to Drosophila melanogaster female post-mating response traits

2017 ◽  
Vol 99 ◽  
pp. 101-106 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janna N. Schultzhaus ◽  
Ginger E. Carney
2010 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 269-272 ◽  
Author(s):  
Torsten N. Kristensen ◽  
Johannes Overgaard ◽  
Volker Loeschcke ◽  
David Mayntz

The ability to use different food sources is likely to be under strong selection if organisms are faced with natural variation in macro-nutrient (protein, carbohydrate and lipid) availabilities. Here, we use experimental evolution to study how variable dietary protein content affects adult body composition and developmental success in Drosophila melanogaster . We reared flies on either a standard diet or a protein-enriched diet for 17 generations before testing them on both diet types. Flies from lines selected on protein-rich diet produced phenotypes with higher total body mass and relative lipid content when compared with those selected on a standard diet, irrespective of which of the two diets they were tested on. However, selection on protein-rich diet incurred a cost as flies reared on this diet had markedly lower developmental success in terms of egg-to-adult viability on both medium types, suggesting a possible trade-off between the traits investigated.


1972 ◽  
Vol 12 (56) ◽  
pp. 252
Author(s):  
WJ Yule

Commercial Australian White Turkey poults were kept in small pens with sexes separated. Growth of male and female poults, fed three different dietary protein contents, was compared from three to eight weeks. Male turkey poults required at least 28 per cent protein in their diets for maximum growth to eight weeks, whereas the growth of females was less responsive to increases in protein content above 27 per cent. Feed conversion ratio was not significantly affected by dietary protein.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Biz R. Turnell ◽  
Luisa Kumpitsch ◽  
Klaus Reinhardt

AbstractSperm aging is accelerated by the buildup of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which cause oxidative damage to various cellular components. Aging can be slowed by limiting the production of mitochondrial ROS and by increasing the production of antioxidants, both of which can be generated in the sperm cell itself or in the surrounding somatic tissues of the male and female reproductive tracts. However, few studies have compared the separate contributions of ROS production and ROS scavenging to sperm aging, or to cellular aging in general. We measured reproductive fitness in two lines of Drosophila melanogaster genetically engineered to (1) produce fewer ROS via expression of alternative oxidase (AOX), an alternative respiratory pathway; or (2) scavenge fewer ROS due to a loss-of-function mutation in the antioxidant gene dj-1β. Wild-type females mated to AOX males had increased fecundity and longer fertility durations, consistent with slower aging in AOX sperm. Contrary to expectations, fitness was not reduced in wild-type females mated to dj-1β males. Fecundity and fertility duration were increased in AOX and decreased in dj-1β females, indicating that female ROS levels may affect aging rates in stored sperm and/or eggs. Finally, we found evidence that accelerated aging in dj-1β sperm may have selected for more frequent mating. Our results help to clarify the relative roles of ROS production and ROS scavenging in the male and female reproductive systems.


Genetics ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 161 (1) ◽  
pp. 195-204 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael J Simmons ◽  
Kevin J Haley ◽  
Craig D Grimes ◽  
John D Raymond ◽  
Jarad B Niemi

Abstract Drosophila were genetically transformed with a hobo transgene that contains a terminally truncated but otherwise complete P element fused to the promoter from the Drosophila hsp70 gene. Insertions of this H(hsp/CP) transgene on either of the major autosomes produced the P transposase in both the male and female germlines, but not in the soma. Heat-shock treatments significantly increased transposase activity in the female germline; in the male germline, these treatments had little effect. The transposase activity of two insertions of the H(hsp/CP) transgene was not significantly greater than their separate activities, and one insertion of this transgene reduced the transposase activity of P(ry+, Δ2-3)99B, a stable P transgene, in the germline as well as in the soma. These observations suggest that, through alternate splicing, the H(hsp/CP) transgene produces a repressor that feeds back negatively to regulate transposase expression or function in both the somatic and germline tissues. The H(hsp/CP) transgenes are able to induce gonadal dysgenesis when the transposase they encode has P-element targets to attack. However, this ability and the ability to induce P-element excisions are repressed by the P cytotype, a chromosomal/cytoplasmic state that regulates P elements in the germline.


Science ◽  
1958 ◽  
Vol 127 (3296) ◽  
pp. 473-474 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. D. KAPLAN ◽  
J. T. HOLDEN ◽  
B. HOCHMAN

2000 ◽  
Vol 80 (4) ◽  
pp. 633-642 ◽  
Author(s):  
Palle V. Rasmussen ◽  
Christian F. Børsting

The effect of different and shifting dietary protein levels on hair growth and the resulting pelt quality in mink was studied. Two groups of pastel female mink were fed either 59% (high protein, HP) or 40% (low protein, LP) of metabolisable energy (ME) from protein during pregnancy and lactation. Shortly after weaning, kits from females fed the LP diet were put on a new LP diet (21% protein of ME). Kits from females fed HP were randomly distributed to four experimental groups fed a new HP diet (34% protein of ME) and three of these groups were shifted to diets with 21% protein at different times during June until September. Skin biopsies were taken at 4, 6, 23 and, 29 wk of age. Histological techniques and computer-assisted light microscopy were used to determine the ratio of activity (ROA) of underfur and guard hairs, respectively, defined as the number of growing hairs as a percentage of the total number of hairs. The hair fibre length and thickness were determined by morphometric methods and correlated with fur properties of dried pelts judged by sensory methods. It was documented that 40% of ME from protein during pregnancy and lactation was sufficient for mink kits to express their genetic capacity to produce hair follicles. In males, a reduced protein level from the age of 15 wk or 22 wk until pelting disturbed moulting, indicated by a low ROA of underfur hairs at 23 wk, and consequently reduced the growth and development of the winter coat. A constantly low protein level from conception until the age of 29 wk did not disturb moulting, but led to a reduction of primeness and especially of the underfur length and fibre thickness of the winter coat. A low protein level from the age of 9 wk only reduced the thickness of the underfur fibres. Hair growth, final fur volume, and general quality of the winter coat of males were influenced negatively and to the same degree in all groups fed the LP diet in part of the growth period. The number of underfur hairs per area (hair density) of the winter coat was not influenced by the dietary treatment meaning that the protein content of 21% of ME in the LP diet was high enough for the mink to express its genetic capacity to develop hair follicles. However, this low protein content led to a reduction of hair fibre length and hair fibre thickness of the underfur. Overall, this study demonstrated that hair growth and hair properties in pelts are very dependent on the dietary protein supply in the period from 22 wk of age until pelting, irrespective of the supply in the preceding periods. Key words: Fur properties, hair fibres, nutrition, pelage, protein requirement


2020 ◽  
Vol 01 (02) ◽  
pp. 28-35
Author(s):  
W. M. Namaga ◽  
B. Yahaya ◽  
M. A. Salam

Fish is highly nutritious, tasty, and easily digestible. It is much sought after by a broad cross-section of the world’s population, particularly in developing countries as it provides the cheapest protein source. Nigeria is blessed with numerous inland freshwater rivers and lakes scattered all over the country. This freshwater habitat consists of many species of fish that have successfully dominated all niches over time and have for many reasons remained unstudied. The situation concealed a lot of scientific information particularly on food security and safety to the inmates and the country at large. Jega River which transcended many States in the North-Western part of Nigeria to open into the river Niger is one of such rivers largely uncared for, study-wise. African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) and Tilapia (Tilapia zillii) have been wisely selected for the present proximate composition studies. The juveniles of these fishes were purchased from local fishermen in Mariner Waje landing site of the river which flows by Jega town, a local government area in Kebbi State, Nigeria. For the study, the methodology approved by the Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC) was used to determine the proximate composition of the fishes. The highest percentage crude protein content of 49.18 ± 0.30% was observed in juvenile female C. gariepinus; while the lowest protein content of 39.22± 0.50% was observed in juvenile male T. zilli. The highest percentage lipid content of 11.75± 1.50% was observed in juvenile female tilapia; while the lowest percentage lipid content of 6.25± 0.29% was observed in male African catfish. The highest percentage fibre content of 4.00 ± 0.29% was observed in male and female C. gariepinus, while the lowest percentage fibre content of 0.75± 0.29% was observed in male tilapia. There were variations (p< 0.05) when the protein and lipid contents of both the species were compared with each other. There was also a significant difference (p< 0.05) when the carbohydrate contents were compared between the fish species, but there was no significant difference (p > 0.05) when the fibre content was compared within the species. The analyses showed that both the male and female fish species studied had high protein contents.


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