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Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:
http://hdl.handle.net/1974/5214
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| Title: | Sperm Production and Variance in Sperm Quality |
| Authors: | Knudsen, JILL |
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| Keywords: | sperm quality
variance
fertility
abnormal spermatozoa |
| Issue Date: | 2009 |
| Series/Report no.: | Canadian theses |
| Abstract: | An unusually high level of inter- and intraspeciļ¬c variability in spermatozoa has been well documented. However, recent evidence indicates that the level of variation within spermatozoa differs markedly across taxa. In particular, it appears that the variability in spermatozoa
tends to decrease across species as the risk of sperm competition increases.
In this thesis, I present a model that explains how variability in spermatozoa may arise due to errors made during the sperm production process. In doing so, I also provide an explanation for why variability in sperm traits tends to decrease as the level of sperm competition experienced by males of a given species increases.
The model presented in this study provides a novel perspective on spermatozoa and their production. While many sperm traits are thought to be selected upon, I suggest
that variability in spermatozoa may also be the result of evolutionary forces such as sperm competition. Variability in spermatozoa, then, can be adaptive and can represent an optimal reproductive strategy. |
| Description: | Thesis (Master, Biology) -- Queen's University, 2009-09-25 21:53:23.172 |
| URI: | http://hdl.handle.net/1974/5214 |
| Appears in Collections: | Biology Graduate Theses
Queen's Theses & Dissertations
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