Effects of Mating on Gene Expression in Female Insects: Unifying the Field

Abstract

There is intense interest in controlling insect reproductive output. In many insect species, reproductive output is profoundly influenced by mating, including the receipt of sperm and seminal fluid molecules, through physiological and behavior changes. To understand these changes, many researchers have investigated post-mating gene expression regulation. In this review, we synthesize information from studies both across and within different species about the impact of mating, or components of mating, on female gene expression patterns. We found that genes related to the roles of metabolism, immune-response, and chemosensation are regulated by mating across many different insect species. We highlight the few studies that have taken the important next step of examining the functional consequences of gene expression regulation which is crucial in order to understand the mechanisms underlying the mating-regulated control of female lifespan and reproduction and to make use of such knowledge to propagate or control insect populations. The potential of cross-study comparisons is diminished by different studies using different methods. Thus, we also include a consideration of how future studies could be designed to facilitate cross-study comparisons and a call for collaboration across researchers studying different insect species and different aspects of insect biology.