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A sexually transmitted sugar orchestrates reproductive responses to nutritional stress

Author

Listed:
  • Seong-Jin Kim

    (Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology)

  • Kang-Min Lee

    (Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology)

  • Si Hyung Park

    (Mokpo National University)

  • Taekyun Yang

    (Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology)

  • Ingyu Song

    (Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology)

  • Fumika Rai

    (Tsukuba)

  • Ryo Hoshino

    (Tsukuba)

  • Minsik Yun

    (Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology)

  • Chen Zhang

    (Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology)

  • Jae-Il Kim

    (Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology)

  • Sunjae Lee

    (Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology)

  • Greg S. B. Suh

    (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology)

  • Ryusuke Niwa

    (University of Tsukuba)

  • Zee-Yong Park

    (Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology)

  • Young-Joon Kim

    (Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology)

Abstract

Seminal fluid is rich in sugars, but their role beyond supporting sperm motility is unknown. In this study, we found Drosophila melanogaster males transfer a substantial amount of a phospho-galactoside to females during mating, but only half as much when undernourished. This seminal substance, which we named venerose, induces an increase in germline stem cells (GSCs) and promotes sperm storage in females, especially undernourished ones. Venerose enters the hemolymph and directly activates nutrient-sensing Dh44+ neurons in the brain. Food deprivation directs the nutrient-sensing neurons to secrete more of the neuropeptide Dh44 in response to infused venerose. The secreted Dh44 then enhances the local niche signal, stimulating GSC proliferation. It also extends the retention of ejaculate by females, resulting in greater venerose absorption and increased sperm storage. In this study, we uncovered the role of a sugar-like seminal substance produced by males that coordinates reproductive responses to nutritional challenges in females.

Suggested Citation

  • Seong-Jin Kim & Kang-Min Lee & Si Hyung Park & Taekyun Yang & Ingyu Song & Fumika Rai & Ryo Hoshino & Minsik Yun & Chen Zhang & Jae-Il Kim & Sunjae Lee & Greg S. B. Suh & Ryusuke Niwa & Zee-Yong Park , 2024. "A sexually transmitted sugar orchestrates reproductive responses to nutritional stress," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-17, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:15:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-024-52807-3
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-52807-3
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Rhonda R. Snook & David J. Hosken, 2004. "Sperm death and dumping in Drosophila," Nature, Nature, vol. 428(6986), pages 939-941, April.
    2. T. Pizzari & T. R. Birkhead, 2000. "Female feral fowl eject sperm of subdominant males," Nature, Nature, vol. 405(6788), pages 787-789, June.
    3. Chen Zhang & Anmo J. Kim & Crisalesandra Rivera-Perez & Fernando G. Noriega & Young-Joon Kim, 2022. "The insect somatostatin pathway gates vitellogenesis progression during reproductive maturation and the post-mating response," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-15, December.
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