Linked Life Data

12769465

Source:http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/id/12769465

Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
1515
pubmed:dateCreated
2003-5-28
pubmed:abstractText
In most bird species, pairs copulate many times before egg laying. The exact function of repeated inseminations (i.e. successful copulations) is unknown, but several suggestions have been made. We tested the hypothesis that repeated inseminations are required to ensure fertilization of eggs, by using an experimental method where free-ranging male collared flycatchers (Ficedula albicollis) were prevented from inseminating their mates. We show that egg fertility was lower when females had not copulated during the studied part of their fertile period. By counting sperm on the inner perivitelline layer of eggs, we estimated that a minimum of 86 sperm must reach the site of fertilization to ensure average fertility. Using the timing of inseminations and the numbers of sperm on successive eggs, we show that repeated copulations are necessary to achieve an average rate of fertilization of a single clutch. Our results thus provide evidence that repeated inseminations function to ensure fertilization success. We discuss possible constraints on sperm production and utilization that may have contributed to this pattern.
pubmed:commentsCorrections
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Mar
pubmed:issn
0962-8452
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:day
22
pubmed:volume
270
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
641-7
pubmed:dateRevised
2010-9-14
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
2003
pubmed:articleTitle
Repeated inseminations required for natural fertility in a wild bird population.
pubmed:affiliation
Behavioural Ecology Group, Department of Systematic Zoology and Ecology, Eötvös University, H-1117, Pázmány P. sétány 1/C Budapest, Hungary. yeti01@cerberus.elte.hu
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't