Packed to perform: the effects of telomere traits and free radicals on sperm phenotypes, fertilization success, and offspring viability

这个项目将把端粒、自由基和精子生物学整合到一个连贯的研究计划中，研究自由基在侵蚀端粒和口述中的作用：精子竞争的成功和神秘的雌性选择；野外的长寿和终身健康；以及对后代生存能力的跨代影响，特别是通过父亲的端粒长度。具体地说，该项目研究了雄性精子端粒长度在压力下是如何缩短的，以及这种表观遗传效应是如何从雄性传递给儿子的，并潜在地缓和了精子竞争的亲子成功和神秘的雌性选择的吸引力。

This project will integrate telomeres, free radicals and sperm biology into a coherent research program on the roles of free radicals in eroding telomeres and dictating: success in sperm competition and cryptic female choice; longevity and life time fitness in the wild; and, transgenerational effects on offspring viability, in particular mediated via paternal telomere length. Specifically, the project researches how sperm telomere length in sires shorten under stress and how this epigenetic effect is transferred from sires to sons and potentially moderates also filial success in sperm competition and attractiveness in cryptic female choice.