Transcriptomic Response to Germline Ablation, Mating and Infection in Drosophila. Drosophila melanogaster

To investigate potential immunity costs of reproduction at the gene expression level, we manipulated germline proliferation (i.e., comparing germline-less versus fertile flies, by using ectopic overexpression of bag of marbles relative to fertile controls) and mating status (mated versus virgin) in Drosophila melanogaster females. Transcriptomes of these flies were obtained after bacterial infection induced by pricking flies with (a) the gram-negative bacterium Pectobacterium (Erwinia) carotovora carotovora (Ecc15) or (b) the gram-positive bacterium Enterococcus faecalis (Ef) or (c) after aseptic (pricking) injury, as controls.