Carter, Lucy M, Pollitt, Laura C, Wilson, Laurence G orcid.org/0000-0001-6659-6001 et al. (1 more author) (2016) Ecological influences on the behaviour and fertility of malaria parasites. MALARIA JOURNAL. ISSN 1475-2875
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Sexual reproduction in the mosquito is essential for the transmission of malaria parasites and a major target for transmission-blocking interventions. Male gametes need to locate and fertilize females in the challenging environment of the mosquito blood meal, but remarkably little is known about the ecology and behaviour of male gametes. METHODS: Here, a series of experiments explores how some aspects of the chemical and physical environment experienced during mating impacts upon the production, motility, and fertility of male gametes. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Specifically, the data confirm that: (a) rates of male gametogenesis vary when induced by the family of compounds (tryptophan metabolites) thought to trigger gamete differentiation in nature; and (b) complex relationships between gametogenesis and mating success exist across parasite species. In addition, the data reveal that (c) microparticles of the same size as red blood cells negatively affect mating success; and (d) instead of swimming in random directions, male gametes may be attracted by female gametes. Understanding the mating ecology of malaria parasites, may offer novel approaches for blocking transmission and explain adaptation to different species of mosquito vectors.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2016, The authors. |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of York |
Academic Units: | The University of York > Faculty of Sciences (York) > Physics (York) |
Depositing User: | Pure (York) |
Date Deposited: | 09 Jun 2016 15:45 |
Last Modified: | 23 Jan 2025 00:07 |
Published Version: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12936-016-1271-0 |
Status: | Published |
Refereed: | Yes |
Identification Number: | 10.1186/s12936-016-1271-0 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:100735 |
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