Presentation Details
| Effect of seminal fluid adipokinetic hormone on female mating behavior in Aedes aegypti Laura K.Sirot1, Ferdinand Nanfack Minkeu1, William Reid2, Gemma Briggs1, Dhwani Parsana1, Meghan Wright1, Jade Baek1, Anna McGlade1. 1The College of Wooster, Wooster, OH, USA.2SUNY Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA |
Abstract
Mating often changes behavior and physiology of female insects. These changes have been attributed to receipt of seminal fluid molecules (SFMs) in many species, including the mosquito, Aedes aegypti. Within an hour after an initial insemination, female Ae. aegypti are generally refractory to subsequent inseminations, a response attributed to SFMs. However, the specific molecules involved in inducing long-term insemination refractoriness have not been identified. In a previous study, we identified adipokinetic hormone (AKH) precursor protein as an SFM in Ae. albopictus. AKH is a well-studied insect neuropeptide that impacts phenotypes including those related to metabolism, locomotion, and reproduction. In this study, we investigated whether AKH impacts female re-insemination patterns. We created an AKH-null line which allowed us to demonstrate that seminal fluid AKH contributes to insemination refractoriness of females. These results lay the groundwork for understanding the evolution and mode of action of novel seminal fluid proteins and how males and female molecular interactions shape behavior.
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No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author.
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