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Proceedings. Biological sciences2017; 284(1868); 20171824; doi: 10.1098/rspb.2017.1824

Major histocompatibility complex-linked social signalling affects female fertility.

Abstract: Genes of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) have been shown to influence social signalling and mate preferences in many species, including humans. First observations suggest that MHC signalling may also affect female fertility. To test this hypothesis, we exposed 191 female horses () to either an MHC-similar or an MHC-dissimilar stimulus male around the time of ovulation and conception. A within-subject experimental design controlled for non-MHC-linked male characteristics, and instrumental insemination with semen of other males ( = 106) controlled for potential confounding effects of semen or embryo characteristics. We found that females were more likely to become pregnant if exposed to an MHC-dissimilar than to an MHC-similar male, while overall genetic distance to the stimulus males (based on microsatellite markers on 20 chromosomes) had no effect. Our results demonstrate that early pregnancy failures can be due to maternal life-history decisions (cryptic female choice) influenced by MHC-linked social signalling.
© 2017 The Author(s).
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Publication Date: 2017-12-08 PubMed ID: 29212724PubMed Central: PMC5740280DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2017.1824Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The study demonstrates the role of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes in social signalling and mate preferences in horses. It further illustrates that exposure to MHC-dissimilar males around the time of conception increases the probability of female horses getting pregnant. This suggests that early pregnancy failures might be attributed to life-history decisions made by the female horses, guided by MHC-linked social signalling.

Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC)

  • The MHC is a set of genes involved in immune system regulation. Their function extends to social communication and mate choice in many species, inclusive of humans.
  • Interestingly, as per the results of this research, it now appears they might also influence female fertility.

Experimental Design and Testing

  • 191 female horses participated in this experiment where they were exposed to either an MHC-similar or an MHC-dissimilar male during their ovulation period.
  • To rule out the influence of non-MHC-linked male characteristics, a within-subject experimental design was used.
  • Moreover, the insemination was controlled instrumentally with sperm of other males (106 individuals), to avoid the effects of specific semen or embryo traits.

Key Findings

  • The study found that the likelihood of getting pregnant increased in females exposed to an MHC-dissimilar male in comparison to those exposed to an MHC-similar male.
  • The overall genetic difference with respect to the stimulus males, determined based on microsatellite markers on 20 chromosomes, did not show any impact on the results.
  • This suggests an intriguing hypothesis wherein early pregnancy failures could be attributed to ‘cryptic female choice’; that is, secretive life-history choices made by the female, conditioned by MHC-linked social signals.

Conclusion

  • This research lends significant understanding of the role MHC genes might play in reproductive success beyond choosing a suitable mate.
  • They apparently influence biological and behavioural responses in females, impacting life-history decisions leading to more effective reproductive outcomes.

Cite This Article

APA
Burger D, Thomas S, Aepli H, Dreyer M, Fabre G, Marti E, Sieme H, Robinson MR, Wedekind C. (2017). Major histocompatibility complex-linked social signalling affects female fertility. Proc Biol Sci, 284(1868), 20171824. https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2017.1824

Publication

Proceedings. Biological sciences
ISSN: 1471-2954
NlmUniqueID: 101245157
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 284
Issue: 1868
PII: 20171824

Researcher Affiliations

Burger, D
  • Swiss Institute of Equine Medicine, Agroscope and University of Berne, 1580 Avenches, Switzerland.
Thomas, S
  • Swiss Institute of Equine Medicine, Agroscope and University of Berne, 1580 Avenches, Switzerland.
Aepli, H
  • Swiss Institute of Equine Medicine, Agroscope and University of Berne, 1580 Avenches, Switzerland.
Dreyer, M
  • Department of Ecology and Evolution, Biophore, University of Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland.
Fabre, G
  • Department of Ecology and Evolution, Biophore, University of Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland.
Marti, E
  • Department of Clinical Research, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Berne, 3012 Bern, Switzerland.
Sieme, H
  • Clinic for Horses, Unit for Reproductive Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, 30559 Hannover, Germany.
Robinson, M R
  • Department of Computational Biology, Genopode, University of Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland.
Wedekind, C
  • Department of Ecology and Evolution, Biophore, University of Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland claus.wedekind@unil.ch.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Female
  • Fertility
  • Horses / physiology
  • Major Histocompatibility Complex
  • Mating Preference, Animal
  • Reproduction

Conflict of Interest Statement

We declare we have no competing interests.

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