Mate genetic similarity affects mating behaviour but not maternal investment in mice

Mate genetic similarity affects mating behaviour but not maternal investment in mice

Maternal investment can affect the survival and development of offspring. Here we experimentally investigated in mice, whether females alter implantation rates and pup survival after embryo transfer depending on the genetic similarity with their vasectomised mating partner. We selected the MHC genot...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Scientific reports Vol. 13; no. 1; p. 10536
Main Authors: Auer, Kerstin E., Primus, Jasmin, Istel, Sonja, Dahlhoff, Maik, Rülicke, Thomas
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: London Nature Publishing Group UK 29-06-2023
Nature Publishing Group
Nature Portfolio
Subjects:
631/158/856
631/181/2470
Animals
Cell Communication
Embryo Implantation
Embryo transfer
Female
Females
Genetic diversity
Genotypes
Haplotypes
Heterozygosity
Humanities and Social Sciences
Inbreeding
Male
Males
Maternal behavior
Mating behavior
Mice
Mice, Inbred C57BL
Mice, Inbred CBA
multidisciplinary
Offspring
Reproduction - genetics
Science
Science (multidisciplinary)
Sex ratio
Survival
Weaning
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Summary:Maternal investment can affect the survival and development of offspring. Here we experimentally investigated in mice, whether females alter implantation rates and pup survival after embryo transfer depending on the genetic similarity with their vasectomised mating partner. We selected the MHC genotype and genetic background of males and paired females either with males that shared the same MHC haplotype and genetic background (CBA/J inbred males, isogenic group), that shared half of the MHC haplotype and genetic background (B6CBAF1 hybrid males, semi-isogenic group), or that had a different MHC haplotype and genetic background (C57BL/6N inbred males, allogenic group). We performed 304 pairings, resulting in 81 vaginal plugs, which confirmed mating. Plug rates were significantly higher in the semi-isogenic group (36.9%) compared to the isogenic group (19.5%), but not the allogenic group (26%). We found no difference in the number of implantation sites, the number of born or surviving pups until weaning, or litter weight or sex ratio between groups. Even though we found a mating bias, we found no difference in maternal investment under laboratory conditions. At least under pathogen-free conditions our study does not provide any evidence for differential maternal investment when females could increase offspring genetic diversity or heterozygosity.
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content type line 23
ISSN:2045-2322
2045-2322
DOI:10.1038/s41598-023-37547-6