Drosophila Reproduction

About the Research

We have studied two aspects of the reproductive biology of Drosophila melanogaster.

First, we investigated the causes and consequences of strategic allocation of seminal fluid proteins. Thus far, our research has demonstrated that males vary their ejaculate composition in a protein specific manner in response to changes in both cues of sperm competition and the size of their partner.

Second, we tested for effects of the herbicide atrazine on the reproductive biology of Drosophila melanogaster.

(Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons)

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Related Publishcation:

  • Wigby, S. , Y.H. Kim, J. Perry, and L.K. Sirot. (2015). Developmental environment mediates male seminal protein investment in Drosophila melanogaster. Functional Ecology, DOI 10.1111/1365-2435.12515. [Link]

  • Sirot, L.K. *, G. Findlay*, J. Sitnik*, D. Frasheri, F. Avila, & M.F. Wolfner. (2014). Molecular characterization and evolution of a gene family encoding both female- and male-specific reproductive proteins in Drosophila. Molecular Biology and Evolution. 31:1554-1567.

  • Vogel, A., H. Jocque, L.K. Sirot, & A.C. Fiumera. (2014). Effects of atrazine exposure on male reproduction in Drosophila melanogaster. Journal of Insect Physiology, 72C:14-21.

  • Perry, J.C., Sirot, L.K., and Wigby, S. (2013). The seminal symphony: How to compose an ejaculate. Trends Ecol. Evol. 28(7), 414-422. [Abstract]

  • Smith, D.T., Sirot, L.K., Wolfner, M.F., Hosken, D.J., Wedell, N. (2012). The consequences of genetic variation in sex peptide expression levels for egg laying and retention in females. Heredity. 109(4), 222-225. [Full text]

  • Sirot, L.K., Wolfner, M.F., and Wigby, S. (2011). Protein-specific manipulation of ejaculate composition in response to female mating status in Drosophila melanogaster. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 108, 9922–9926. [Full text]

  • Avila, F.W., Sirot, L.K., LaFlamme, B.A., Rubinstein, C.D., and Wolfner, M.F. (2011). Insect seminal fluid proteins: identification and function. Annual Review of Entomology, 56, 21–40.

  • Sirot, L.K., Buehner, N.A., Fiumera, A.C., and Wolfner, M.F. (2009). Seminal fluid protein depletion and replenishment in the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster: an ELISA-based method for tracking individual ejaculates. Behav. Ecol. Sociobiol. 63, 1505–1513.

  • Sirot, L.K., LaFlamme, B.A., Sitnik, J.L., Rubinstein, C.D., Avila, F.W., Chow, C.Y., and Wolfner, M.F. (2009). Molecular social interactions: Drosophila melanogaster seminal fluid proteins as a case study. Advances in Genetics, 68, 23–56. [Abstract]

  • Wigby, S., Sirot, L.K., Linklater, J.R., Buehner, N., Calboli, F.C.F., Bretman, A., Wolfner, M.F., and Chapman, T. (2009). Seminal fluid protein allocation and male reproductive success. Curr. Biol.19, 751–757. [Full text]