J 2017

Trade-off between carotenoid-based sexual ornamentation and sperm resistance to oxidative challenge

TOMASEK, O., J. ALBRECHTOVA, M. NEMCOVA, Pavlína OPATOVÁ, T. ALBRECHT et. al.

Basic information

Original name

Trade-off between carotenoid-based sexual ornamentation and sperm resistance to oxidative challenge

Authors

TOMASEK, O. (203 Czech Republic, guarantor), J. ALBRECHTOVA (203 Czech Republic), M. NEMCOVA (203 Czech Republic), Pavlína OPATOVÁ (203 Czech Republic, belonging to the institution) and T. ALBRECHT (203 Czech Republic)

Edition

Proceedings of the Royal Society B-Biological Sciences, LONDON, ROYAL SOC, 2017, 0962-8452

Other information

Language

English

Type of outcome

Článek v odborném periodiku

Field of Study

10600 1.6 Biological sciences

Country of publisher

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Confidentiality degree

není předmětem státního či obchodního tajemství

Impact factor

Impact factor: 4.847

RIV identification code

RIV/00216224:14310/17:00097562

Organization unit

Faculty of Science

DOI

UT WoS

000393414300014

Keywords in English

sexual selection; phenotype-linked fertility hypothesis; sperm competition theory; ejaculate quality; lutein; zeaxanthin

Tags

Změněno: 12/4/2018 16:36, Ing. Nicole Zrilić

Abstract

V originále

It has been hypothesized that carotenoid-based sexual ornamentation signals male fertility and sperm competitive ability as both ornamentation and sperm traits may be co-affected by oxidative stress, resulting in positive covariation (the 'redox-based phenotype-linked fertility hypothesis'; redox-based PLFH). On the other hand, the 'sperm competition theory' (SCT) predicts a trade-off between precopulatory and postcopulatory traits. Here, we manipulate oxidative status (using diquat dibromide) and carotenoid availability in adult zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata) males in order to test whether carotenoid-based beak ornamentation signals, or is traded off against, sperm resistance to oxidative challenge. Initial beak colouration, but not its change during the experiment, was associated with effect of oxidative challenge on sperm velocity, such that more intense colouration predicted an increase in sperm velocity under control conditions but a decline under oxidative challenge. This suggests a long-term trade-off between ornament expression and sperm resistance to oxidative challenge. Shortening of the sperm midpiece following oxidative challenge further suggests that redox homeostasis may constrain sperm morphometry. Carotenoid supplementation resulted in fewer sperm abnormalities but had no effect on other sperm traits. Overall, our data challenge the redox-based PLFH, partially support the SCT and highlight the importance of carotenoids for normal sperm morphology.