Atomic force microscopy (AFM) has emerged as the only technique capable of real-time imaging of the surface of a living cell at nano-resolution. Since AFM provides the advantage of directly observing living biological cells in their native environment, this technique has found many applications in pharmacology, biotechnology, microbiology, structural and molecular biology, genetics and other bi...

ABSTRACT ECR Spotlight is a series of interviews with early-career authors from selection papers published in Journal Experimental Biology and aims to promote not only the diversity researchers (ECRs) working experimental biology during our centenary year, but also huge variety animals physiological systems that are essential for ‘comparative’ approach. Marco Graziano first author on ‘ Frequenc...

The increasing successful use of artificial insemination is facilitated by a greater knowledge of the biology of the sow during her estrous period. The realization of the importance of establishing an adequate sperm reservoir in the oviduct at an appropriate time relative to ovulation has led to advances in the management of artificial insemination. In particular, knowledge of when a sow is lik...

A major puzzle in biology is how mammalian sperm maintain the correct swimming direction during various phases of the sexual reproduction process. Whilst chemotaxis may dominate near the ovum, it is unclear which cues guide spermatozoa on their long journey towards the egg. Hypothesized mechanisms range from peristaltic pumping to temperature sensing and response to fluid flow variations (rheot...

Few aspects of biology are linked to so many evolutionary conflicts as sperm production and fertilization. Segregation distortion and maternal inheritance of cytoplasmic genes, causing maladapted males, are common sources of variation in the competitive ability of sperm, leading males to vary in their intrinsic fertility. Here, I theoretically analyze the effect of such variation in male intrin...

The objectives of the present work were 3-fold. First, a new method for estimating daily sperm production was validated. This method, in turn, was used to evaluate testis output as well as deferent duct throughput. Next, this analytical approach was evaluated in 2 experiments. The first experiment compared left and right reproductive tracts within roosters. The second experiment compared reprod...