The Fertility of Melanesian Girls, Laboratory Mice, and Prostitutes: A Comment on the "Bruce Effect"

Greenfield has recently proposed that low fertility in both prostitutes and unmarried Trobriand girls may be explained by the "Bruce effect": the inhibition of pregnancy in female mice that have had intercourse with different males within a short period. An examination of Malinowski's data indicates that a Trobriand girl usually had intercourse with only one man over a fairly long period and her sex life was not at all comparable to that of a prostitute or one of Bruce's mice. Low fertility in unmarried girls has been well documented for several Melanesian societies that differ notably in the behavior permitted to girls. The existence of so-called adolescent sterility still seems to be the best explanation to cover all of these cases. [fertility, sexual behavior, Melanesia]     

Molecular Control of Male Reproductive Development and Pollen Fertility in Rice

Anther development and male fertility are essential biological processes for flowering plants and are important for crop seed production. Genetic manipulation of male fertility/sterility is critical for crop hybrid breeding. Rice (Oryza sativa L.) male sterility phenotypes, including genic male sterility, hybrid male sterility, and cytoplasmic male sterility, are generally caused by mutations of fertility‐related genes, by incompatible interactions between divergent allelic or non‐allelic genes, or by genetic incompatibilities between cytoplasmic and nuclear genomes. Here, we review the recent advances in the molecular basis of anther development and male fertility‐sterility conversion in specific genetic backgrounds, and the interactions with certain environmental factors. The highlighted findings in this review have significant implications in both basic studies and rice genetic improvement. [ Yao‐Guang Liu (Corresponding author)]     

Sex-Specific Functional Specialization and the Evolutionary Rates of Essential Fertility Genes

Genes related to sex and reproduction are known to evolve rapidly, however, the mechanism for rapid evolutionary change is proving to be more complex than a simple relaxation of selective constraint. We compared the divergence between orthologous human and mouse fertility genes according to their degree of dispensability as suggested by mouse knockout mutation phenotypes. The dataset consisted of 161 orthologous genes affecting fertility and 803 orthologous genes affecting viability. We find that essential fertility genes affecting both sexes evolve at a similar rate as essential viability genes, but that within sexes the degree of dispensability is not an important factor affecting the rate of fertility gene evolution. We also find no difference in the evolutionary rates of fertility genes that affect the male versus the female, however, there are a greater number of sterility genes that affect the male. Generally there are a significantly greater number of fertility genes that affect one sex rather than both, suggesting that fertility genes tend toward sex-specific functions, particularly in the male. Our findings support the hypothesis that the rapid evolution of sex- and reproduction-related genes is facilitated through an increased specialization of gene function and that dispensability is not a major factor determining their evolutionary rate. Electronic Supplementary Material Electronic Supplementary material is available for this article at and accessible for authorised users. [Reviewing Editor: Dr. Willie J. Swanson]     

Fertility control of overabundant species; Can it work for feral rabbits?

Demographic changes were monitored in free-ranging European rabbit ( Oryctolagus cuniculus ) populations in Australia following the surgical imposition of four levels of female sterility (0%, 40%, 60%, 80%). Rabbit productivity decreased with increasing sterility level, but a greater proportion of offspring were recruited into populations with high levels of sterility. Adult rabbits, particularly sterile females, also survived better in the high sterility populations. Thus we were able to experimentally demonstrate that two density-dependent processes were operating on our rabbit populations: one was acting on juvenile survival, the other on the survival of infertile adult rabbits. However, these compensatory mechanisms were insufficient to overcome the effects of sterility in the high sterility populations and the seasonal abundance of rabbits decreased. Female sterility levels of 60%–80% would benefit rabbit control programs by reducing the peaks of rabbit abundance. This effect is likely to be enhanced if fertility control could be integrated with other pest control strategies.     

玉米细胞质雄性不育及其育性恢复基因的研究进展

玉米是杂种优势利用最成功的作物之一,采用细胞质雄性不育(CMS)进行玉米杂交种生产已成为杂种优势利用的有力工具。CMS是由于细胞质和细胞核的基因表达产物的不协调而产生的不育性,可被核基因组中的恢复基因恢复。根据育性恢复专效性,玉米CMS材料主要分为T、C和S三种类型。综述了这三种类型不育及其恢复基因的研究进展,分析了在不育化制种中的应用情况。     

水稻不育系安农S-1育性转换及相关基因的表达分析

通过在自然环境和高温温室内对安农S-1的不同部位进行高温、低温诱导处理,对水稻温敏核不育系安农S-1的温度敏感时期和诱导部位进行了研究。总共进行了8种处理,结果表明：安农S-1的育性转换时期是从花粉母细胞形成到减数分裂的四分体时期之前。在育性转换时期,处于高温的条件下,根部低温处理不能诱导安农S-1可育,穗部低温处理可以使安农S-1保持可育,可见安农S-1的温度敏感部位在幼穗。aprz基因和育性相关,用RT-PCR方法研究了aprt基因在安农S-1不同部位和不同温度环境的表达变化,结果显示,在幼穗中aprt基因的表达在高温环境中被大幅度下调,而在叶中和根中的变化比较小,这说明幼穗对温度最敏感,从侧面验证了引起安农S-1育性转换的温度敏感部位是在幼穗。     

植物细胞质雄性不育及其育性恢复的分子生物学研究进展

植物细胞质雄性不育（CMS）和恢复系统在作物杂交种子生产中具有重要的意义。综述了目前已发现的与植物CMS相关的线粒体DNA位点,育性恢复基因对CMS相关DNA位点表达的影响,育性恢复基因的分子标记定位、克隆,及育性恢复分子机理等方面的研究进展,并讨论了恢复基因在植物分子育种上的应用。     

Genetics of Male and Female Sterility in Hybrids of Drosophila pseudoobscura and D. persimilis

The genetic basis of male and female sterility in hybrids of Drosophila pseudoobscura-Drosophila persimilis was studied using backcross analysis. Previous studies indirectly assessed male fertility by measuring testis size; these studies concluded that male sterility results from an X chromosome-autosome imbalance. By directly scoring for the production of motile sperm, male sterility is shown to be largely due to an incompatibility between genes on the X and Y chromosomes of these two species. These species have diverged at a minimum of nine loci affecting hybrid male fertility. Semisterility of hybrid females appears to result from an X chromosome-cytoplasm interaction; the X chromosome thus has the largest effect on sterility in both male and female hybrids. This is apparently the first analysis of the genetic basis of female sterility, or of sterility/inviability affecting both sexes, in an animal hybridization.     

Fertility response to photoperiod and temperature in indica photoperiod-sensitive male sterile rice

The aim of this work was to develop a photoperiod-sensitive male sterile rice with stable sterility. We developed Changguang S, an indica rice strain, by using a short critical day length. Differences in the fertility responses of Changguang S strain pollen to temperature and photoperiod under natural and controlled conditions were studied. The results showed that Changguang S strain exhibited stable sterility under long-day and low-temperature conditions (22°C, 15 days). The stability of sterility was significantly higher than that of other such rice strains, Nongken 58S and 7001S. The critical photoperiod for inducing male sterility in Changguang S was 13 h or shorter, and its duration was significantly shorter than that required for rice strains Nongken 58S and 7001S. It is suggested that Changguang S is a typical photoperiod-sensitive male sterile rice strain with a shorter critical day length and a lower critical temperature. It is promising to apply this strain to two-line hybrid rice production.     

来自密阳46的籼型新不育胞质H236A的育性鉴定和花粉粒败育形态观察

胞质雄性不育多样性是解决三系杂交稻品质、抗性和产量的主要措施。在以密阳46为母本的杂交后代中发现不育材料H236A,通过杂交和自交,确定其不育类型和不育度;通过碘染和徕卡荧光显微镜DM2500对成熟花粉粒观察,确定花粉粒育性、败育形态和时期。结果表明：H236A是胞质雄性不育,不育度达99.8%以上;花粉粒属典败型的达83.17%,圆败型占16.83%,没有染败型花粉粒,为单核期败育。花粉粒败育形态多种多样,有不规则形,梭形,圆形等。清晰观察到晚期小孢子细胞质定向移动形成细胞质桥现象。本文还讨论了成熟花粉粒败育时期和败育形态的划分。     

甘蓝型油菜雄性不育系160S育性转换与利用

以甘蓝型油菜雄性不育系160S为试验材料,分别在自然栽种和人工控温条件下对其花器官形态变化、花粉育性转换和杂种优势等进行了初步研究,以探讨植物温敏雄性不育的发生机制。结果表明:环境温度对160S的花器官形态及育性转换具有明显的作用,高温可使花瓣变小,雄蕊退化,花粉活力、角粒数与自交有效结角率降低,表现为低温可育、高温不育,育性变化趋势表现为完全可育-半不育-彻底败育。160S恢复源广泛,且具有较好的配合力和杂种优势,为利用两系法生产油菜杂交种提供了一个较好的途径。     

The Biocultural Context of Very High Fertility among the Bekaa Bedouin

This research report explores some of the biocultural dimensions of maximum or near maximum fertility among Bedouin tribes in the Bekaa Valley, Lebanon. The Bedouin case substantiates that very high fertility (completed family size [CFS] greater than 8.0) is found among peripheral peoples in frontier situations generated by major political-economic shifts. While the Bedouin maintained high fertility (CFS > 6.5) for approximately sixty years (1899–1960), very high fertility—linked to greater historical reliance on agriculture—was of shorter duration (1934–60). Comparisons with other very high fertility populations indicate that, at the proximate level, maximum fertility is associated with early weaning, low rates of primary sterility, and high rates of marital stability. Results also point to low subadult mortality in Bedouin society. Low mortality is best attributed to the availability of modern medical care facilities and high-quality weaning foods.     

Hidden effects of X chromosome introgressions on spermatogenesis in Drosophila simulans x D. mauritiana hybrids unveiled by interactions among minor genetic factors.

One of the most frequent outcomes of interspecific hybridizations in Drosophila is hybrid male sterility. Genetic dissection of this reproductive barrier has revealed that the number of responsible factors is very high and that these factors are frequently engaged in complex epistatic interactions. Traditionally, research strategies have been based on contrasting introgressions of chromosome segments that produce male sterility with those that allow fertility. Few studies have investigated the phenotypes associated with the boundary between fertility and sterility. In this study, we cointrogressed three different X chromosome segments from Drosophila mauritiana into D. simulans. Hybrid males with these three segments are usually fertile, by conventional fertility assays. However, their spermatogenesis shows a significant slowdown, most manifest at lower temperatures. Each of the three introgressed segments retards the arrival of sperm to the seminal vesicles. Other small disturbances in spermatogenesis are evident, which altogether lead to an overall reduction in the amount of motile sperm in their seminal vesicles. These results suggest that a delay in the timing of spermatogenesis, which might be brought about by the cumulative action of many different factors of minor segment, may be the primary cause of hybrid male sterility.     

A Cultural–Historical Perspective on the Depressed Fertility Among the Matrilineal Moso in Southwest China

Family systems exert substantial influence on the demographic processes of populations. The Moso in Southwest China feature an institutionalized visiting sexual system, which differs from marriage, and a grand household system without conjugal units. Moso women enjoy virtually unlimited reproductive autonomy. On the basis of surveys of 127 Moso households conducted in 1988 and 1989, this paper analyzes the fertility experience of Moso women during the twentieth century and the mortality rates of the Moso population in the PRC era. Moso fertility patterns are characterized by a late age at first birth (median 23 years), long interbirth intervals (median 3 years), and a high rate of childlessness (16%). We conclude that this pattern of low fertility is an outcome of the unique Moso cultural practices. For the cohorts of Moso women born between 1905 and 1929, pathological sterility caused by STD is likely to have depressed fertility as well.     

Fertility, segregation at a herbicide-resistance locus, and genome structure in BC hybrids from two important weedy Amaranthus species

Field studies have established high potential for hybridization between two important and often coexisting weedy species, Amaranthus hybridus and Amaranthus tuberculatus. Prezygotic reproductive barriers between these species are believed to be limited to pollen competition and availability. A greenhouse study showed that a herbicide-resistance gene (ALS) from A. hybridus could be introgressed into an advanced A. tuberculatus background (BC2). However, evidence is lacking in support of such transfer in nature. Postzygotic reproductive barriers may minimize, if not preclude, natural introgression. Indeed, A. hybridus xA. tuberculatus hybrids are characterized by reduced fertility and even floral neuterism. The purpose of this study was to assess hybrid fertility in the BC1 generation and its relationship with genome structure and segregation at ALS. Fertility was assessed by measuring seed output and by pollen evaluation, and segregation at ALS was determined via a molecular marker system. The two parental species have the same ploidy (2n = 32) but differ in DNA content (2C) values, with A. tuberculatus chromosomes being on average 29% greater than those of A. hybridus. Given that most (98%) BC(1)s were homoploid, 2C values were used as indicators of relative genomic constitution. Fertility in the BC1 generation was greater than that of F1s, and 3% of BC1s had seed output similar to that of the parental species. Fertility in the BC1 did not correlate (in a strict way) with reconstitution of parental genomes. Hybrid sterility appeared to be controlled by relatively few loci. Heterozygosity at ALS was negatively correlated with fertility. Also, the A. tuberculatus ALS allele was not observed in the A. hybridus sexual condition, monoecism. Linkage of ALS to a locus associated (directly or via epistasis) with hybrid sterility may explain the fertility penalty observed with ALS introgression. Moreover, this linkage might explain why sequenced herbicide-resistance ALS alleles from sympatric A. tuberculatus and A. hybridus populations show independent evolution.     

植物细胞质雄性不育性与育性恢复的分子生物学研究进展

植物细胞质雄性不育性与育性恢复的分子机理一直是分子生物学的研究热点。文章综述了近十年来的主要研究进展。包括：1、线粒体不育相关区域的确定及其特点;2、不育相关区域的表达谱;3、产生细胞质雄性不育的可能机理;4、恢复基因的可能调控方式;5、恢复基因的遗传、定位及其特征等。拟兰芥、水稻等模式植物线粒体基因组测序工作已经完成,其有关生物学信息及后续研究将极大地推动植物细胞质雄性不育研究取得更快进展。     

Characterization of Raphanus sativus Pentatricopeptide Repeat Proteins Encoded by the Fertility Restorer Locus for Ogura Cytoplasmic Male Sterility

Cytoplasmic male sterility is a maternally inherited trait in higher plants that prevents the production of functional pollen. Ogura cytoplasmic male sterility in radish (Raphanus sativus) is regulated by the orf138 mitochondrial locus. Male fertility can be restored when orf138 accumulation is suppressed by the nuclear Rfo locus, which consists of three genes putatively encoding highly similar pentatricopeptide repeat proteins (PPR-A, -B, and -C). We produced transgenic rapeseed (Brassica napus) plants separately expressing PPR-A and PPR-B and demonstrated that both encoded proteins accumulated preferentially in the anthers of young flower buds. Immunodetection of ORF138 showed that, unlike PPR-B, PPR-A had no effect on the synthesis of the sterility protein. Moreover, immunolocalization experiments indicated that complete elimination of ORF138 from the tapetum of anthers correlated with the restoration of fertility. Thus, the primary role of PPR-B in restoring fertility is to inhibit ORF138 synthesis in the tapetum of young anthers. In situ hybridization experiments confirmed, at the cellular level, that PPR-B has no effect on the accumulation of orf138 mRNA. Lastly, immunoprecipitation experiments demonstrated that PPR-B, but not PPR-A, is associated with the orf138 RNA in vivo, linking restoration activity with the ability to directly or indirectly interact with the orf138 RNA. Together, our data support a role for PPR-B in the translational regulation of orf138 mRNA.     

光敏核不育水稻幼穗的乙烯生成与育性转换

研究了在不同光温组合下光敏核不育水稻（ＰＧＭＲ）农垦５８５（ＮＫ５８Ｓ）及普通水稻品种农垦５８（ＮＫ５８Ｂ）的幼穗乙烯生物合成变化及其与育性表达的关系。结果表明ＮＫ５８Ｓ幼穗乙烯生成受光周期和温度的共同调节,而光周期对ＮＫ５８Ｂ幼穗乙烯生成无明显影响。ＮＫ５８Ｓ幼穗乙烯生成的变化与育性转换光温作用模式完全吻合。其幼穗乙烯释放速率（ＥＲＲ）与花粉可育度（ｌｎｙ）呈极显著负相关。用ＡＶＧ抑制乙烯生成可使ＮＫ５８Ｓ（ＬＤ）不育性明显逆转,而用ＡＣＣ促进乙烯生成又可急剧降低ＮＫ５８Ｓ（ＳＤ）的可育水平。表明幼穗乙烯生成与ＰＧＭＲ育性表达密切相关,乙烯参与育性转换的调控并可能起着重要作用。     

Pollen Fertility Restoration by Nuclear Gene Fr in Cms Bean: Nuclear-Directed Alteration of a Mitochondrial Population

Two nuclear genes, Fr and Fr2, have been identified that restore pollen fertility to cytoplasmic male sterile (CMS) common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) by apparently distinct mechanisms. Whereas Fr2 appears to suppress the expression of a male sterility associated mitochondrial sequence (designated pvs), Fr restores pollen fertility by causing the elimination of this unusual mitochondrial DNA segment. To further investigate the mechanism of Fr action, Fr and Fr2 were cointroduced into the nucleus of a bean line containing the sterility inducing cytoplasm. When the effect of pvs was suppressed by Fr2, the presence of Fr no longer directed the elimination of the mitochondrial pvs sequence. This result suggests that the Fr function is dependent on proper expression of the pvs sequence. To evaluate the temporal and spatial patterns of Fr action, we undertook a polymerase chain reaction-based approach to trace the fate of the pvs sequence in different tissues of F(2) and F(3) fertile-restored plants derived from a genetic cross between a cytoplasmic male sterile line of common bean, CMS-Sprite (frfr), and fertility restorer line R351 (FrFr). We demonstrate that the Fr-directed disappearance of pvs sequence occurs during flower development. Elimination of the pvs sequence from developing megaspores results in permanent fertility restoration in the following generations. Genetic analysis demonstrated that permanent fertility restoration, that is, the complete elimination of pvs from reproductive tissues requires two doses of the Fr allele or the absence of fr in F(2) individuals. The effect of Fr was reversible until full fertility was achieved. On the basis of these results, we propose a model for the mechanism of pvs elimination by the Fr gene and discuss the dynamics of pvs-containing mitochondrial transmission in the presence of the Fr gene.