Organisms are under constant attack from pathogens and parasites, and thus depend on a well-functioning immune system to survive and reproduce. Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes are highly variable immunity genes that are involved in fighting extra- and intracellular pathogens in vertebrates.
Recent evidence from bluethroats (Luscinia s. svecica) suggests that optimal (intermediate) levels of MHC variability in offspring is achieved through extra-pair mate choice. Here we want to investigate whether having an optimal MHC genotype or better health (as suggested e.g. by body condition or blood parasite infection) translates into producing higher quality sperm, with a lower proportion of cell damage. This will be addressed by scoring sperm damage of already collected sperm samples and combining these data with existing data on MHC genotype and blood parasite infection. There is also a possibility to combine this with having a full field season and collecting new blood and sperm samples, to complement the already collected samples, and incorporating additional genetic markers. There is room for several master students on this project.
Field work: ?vre Heimdalen field station, ?ystre Slidre, Innlandet, May-June 2024. Lab work: NHM DNA lab and microscopy lab
Supervisors: Arild Johnsen and Becky Cramer