Meeting Abstract
In many animal species, seminal fluid molecules (SFMs) influence female post-mating processes that affect reproductive success. SFMs have been most thoroughly studied in insects in which the affected processes include: egg development, sperm use, mating behavior, attractiveness, and lifespan. The magnitude of the effects of SFMs can be quite variable, even within inbred strains. This variation is important because it could impact post-copulatory reproductive outcomes. One likely cause of this variation is modulation by males or females of the quantities or qualities (e.g., stability or activity state) of SFMs, or, in the case of females, of their sensitivity to SFMs. Here, I review opportunities for SFM modulation by males and females, with a special emphasis on providing a framework for understanding the stages at which there is evidence for female control of the effects of SFMs. These stages occur during, after, and in between copulations and include behavioral, physiological, and biochemical mechanisms. I propose that these processes could provide mechanisms by which information received before and during copulation influences post-copulatory reproductive success and suggest ideas for future research in this area.
