Reproductive suppression in subordinate, non-breeding female Damaraland mole-rats: two components to a lifetime of socially induced infertility

Proceedings. Biological Sciences
N C BennettA J Molteno

Abstract

The Damaraland mole-rat Cryptomys damarensis exhibits an extreme reproductive division of labour. Reproduction in the colony is restricted to a single breeding pair, resulting from a two-fold control: (i) a reduced pituitary synthesis and/or secretion of luteinizing hormone leading to a block to ovulation in non-reproductive females; and (ii) a strong inhibition to breeding with familiar kin. Circulating basal concentrations of luteinizing hormone as well as luteinizing hormone levels measured in response to a single exogenous gonadotrophin releasing hormone challenge, were significantly lower in non-reproductive females in the presence of the reproductive female than those in colonies lacking a reproductive female. Urinary progesterone concentrations before the removal of the reproductive female were significantly higher in non-reproductives than the post removal values. Behavioural studies from sib-sib and non-sib pairings provide evidence for a strong incest avoidance, probably resulting from an inhibition of breeding with familiar colony members. A total of four pairings of non-sibs resulted in copulatory activity and eventual conception. In contrast, four couples of sib-sib combinations failed to produce any sexual activit...Continue Reading

References

Nov 1, 1991·Journal of Reproduction and Fertility·C G Faulkes, D H Abbott
Mar 1, 1991·Journal of Reproduction and Fertility·C G FaulkesJ U Jarvis
Sep 1, 1993·Journal of Reproduction and Fertility·N C BennettR P Millar
Nov 1, 1996·The Journal of Laryngology and Otology·J D Bennett
Feb 1, 1994·Trends in Ecology & Evolution·J U JarvisP W Sherman
May 1, 1986·Evolution; International Journal of Organic Evolution·Ronald K Chesser, Nils Ryman

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Citations

Jul 5, 2001·Physiology & Behavior·R J BlanchardD C Blanchard
Mar 14, 2001·Trends in Ecology & Evolution·C G. Faulkes, N C. Bennett
May 20, 2000·Proceedings. Biological Sciences·R Cooney, N C Bennett
Apr 10, 2013·Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological Sciences·Chris G Faulkes, Nigel C Bennett
Mar 8, 2013·PloS One·Fanny Beauché, Freddie-Jeanne Richard
Apr 16, 2013·General and Comparative Endocrinology·Heike LutermannNigel C Bennett
May 7, 2009·Frontiers in Neuroendocrinology·Melissa M HolmesNancy G Forger
Feb 7, 2019·Journal of Comparative Physiology. B, Biochemical, Systemic, and Environmental Physiology·Sarah Y Zhang, Matthew E Pamenter
Nov 23, 2018·Proceedings. Biological Sciences·T RuegerP M Buston
Jun 17, 2018·Scientific Reports·Kristina KverkováPavel Němec
Sep 6, 2017·Hormones and Behavior·Margaret CorleyEduardo Fernandez-Duque
May 5, 2021·Nature Ecology & Evolution·Raïssa A de BoerJohn L Fitzpatrick

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