High Sex Drive Induced Male Courtship Homosexuality in Drosophila

• Main Authors: Shu-Yun Kuo, 郭書昀
• Other Authors: Tsai-Feng Fu
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2013
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/c4t7d4

碩士 === 國立暨南國際大學 === 應用化學系 === 101 === Courtship behavior is a kind of instinct on natural animals. By courting to female, male can mate and most of all multiply their descendants. In some species, courting with homo sex are not uncommon but the molecular mechanisms are poorly known. Drosophila provides appropriate genetic tools and the advantage of large-scale analyses for research. Normally, homosexual courtship behavior seldom occurs among Drosophila; genetic manipulation could largely enhance the occurrence of the behavior. Dopamine (DA) has been proven to participate in the sexual desire control of mammals. Interestingly, increased DA level in Drosophila enhances male –male courtship behavior. In our research found that overexpress dopamine level on a specific dopaminergic neurons which innervate the calyx of mushroom bodies (Mbs), enhance the male courtship strength. Similarly, in our research found that it not only enhances male-female courtship behavior but also increased male-male courtship behavior. We also show that male-male courtship behavior is visual cue dependent and it does not change sexual preference. Interestingly, under the condition of visual deprivation, increased dopamine level on specific dopaminergic neurons, fly shows significant male-male courtship behavior toward the fly with dopamine level decreased on specific dopaminergic neurons. Our results show that with simply controlled this neuron circuit will affect sexuality of fly and lead to male-male courtship behavior. The outcome may provide an effective platform for relevant research on sexual activity.