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

该项目将整合端粒，自由基和精子生物学到一个连贯的研究计划，自由基在侵蚀端粒和支配的作用：成功的精子竞争和神秘的女性选择;长寿和生命时间健身在野外;和，后代的生存能力，特别是通过父亲端粒长度介导的跨代影响。具体来说，该项目研究了在压力下，公畜的精子端粒长度如何缩短，以及这种表观遗传效应如何从公畜转移到儿子，并可能在精子竞争和神秘女性选择的吸引力方面影响子代的成功。

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.