Data from: The consequences of genetic variation in male sex peptide gene-expression levels for SP retention and egg laying in female Drosophila

The accessory gland proteins (Acps) that male Drosophila melanogaster produce and transfer to females during copulation are key to male and female fitness. One Acp, the sex peptide (SP), is largely responsible for a dramatic increase in female egg laying and decrease in female receptivity after copulation. While genetic variation in male SP expression levels correlate with refractory period duration in females, it is unknown whether male SP expression influences female egg laying or if any effect of SP is mediated by SP retention in the female reproductive tract. Here we measured the amount of SP retained in the female reproductive tract after mating and female egg laying after copulating with virgin males. We found no correlation between male SP expression levels and egg laying, or the amount of SP in the female reproductive tract after mating. Additionally, the amount of SP retained in the female did not influence egg laying. These finding suggests that additional factors, such as variation in other Acps, are important for the retention of SP in females and its quantitative effects on egg laying. It also shows that egg laying and refractory period response to SP is at least partially uncoupled.

黑腹果蝇（Drosophila melanogaster）雄性在交配过程中产生并转移至雌性体内的附腺蛋白（accessory gland proteins，Acps），是影响雌雄个体适合度的关键因子。其中一种附腺蛋白——性肽（sex peptide，SP），主要负责触发交配后雌性产卵量的显著提升以及交配接受度的大幅下降。现有研究表明，雄性性肽表达水平的遗传变异与雌性的交配不应期时长相关，但目前尚不清楚雄性性肽表达是否会影响雌性产卵行为，亦或是性肽的任何作用均通过其在雌性生殖道内的留存来介导。本研究检测了交配后雌性生殖道内留存的性肽含量，以及与未交配雄性交配后的雌性产卵量。研究结果显示，雄性性肽表达水平与雌性产卵量，或是交配后雌性生殖道内的性肽含量均无相关性。此外，雌性体内留存的性肽量也未对产卵行为产生影响。上述发现表明，其他额外因素（例如其他附腺蛋白的变异），对于性肽在雌性体内的留存及其对产卵的量化调控作用至关重要。同时该研究也证实，雌性针对性肽的产卵反应与交配不应期反应至少存在部分解偶联。