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This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) All Versions of this Article: 72/5/1109    most recent biolreprod.104.038059v1 Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal My Folders Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Krawczak, M. Articles by Schmidtke, J. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Krawczak, M. Articles by Schmidtke, J. Agricola Articles by Krawczak, M. Articles by Schmidtke, J.

Male Reproductive Timing in Rhesus Macaques Is Influenced by the 5HTTLPR Promoter Polymorphism of the Serotonin Transporter Gene¹

Institut für Medizinische Informatik und Statistik,³ Christian-Albrechts-Universität, 24105 Kiel, Germany Abteilung für Humangenetik,⁴ Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, 30625 Hannover, Germany Caribbean Primate Research Center,⁵ University of Puerto Rico, Sabana Seca, Puerto Rico 00741 Neuropsychiatric Institute,⁶ University of California, Los Angeles, California 90024 Center for Reproduction of Endangered Species,⁷ Zoological Society of San Diego, San Diego, California 92112-0551 Center for Comparative Medicine,⁸ University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22908 Deutsches Primatenzentrum,⁹ 37077 Göttingen, Germany Institut für Medizinische Genetik,¹⁰ Humboldt-Universität, 13353 Berlin, Germany Gene Mapping Center,¹¹ Max-Delbrück-Zentrum für Molekulare Medizin, 13092 Berlin, Germany Institut für Biologie,¹² Humboldt-Universität, 10115 Berlin, Germany

The 5HTTLPR polymorphism in the promoter region of the human serotonin transporter (SLC6A4) gene is known to be associated with various stress-related psychological and psychiatric phenomena. We observed that a similar diallelic polymorphism in the orthologous gene of rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) was related to the reproductive life history of 580 males residing in the free-ranging colony of Cayo Santiago, Puerto Rico, between 1985 and 1998. At first glance, the polymorphism appeared to be selectively neutral because no difference in total reproductive output was noted between males of different 5HTTLPR genotypes. However, whereas heterozygotes were significantly more reproductive than homozygotes at intermediate age (10–13 yr), the opposite held true before and after this period (n = 682 offspring; randomization P = 0.014). This association, which explains approximately 7% of the observed variation in sire age, most likely reflects different natal dispersal patterns and represents the first reported instance of a genetic influence on reproductive timing in mammals.

behavior, male reproductive timing, male sexual function, neurotransmitters, rhesus macaques, serotonin transporter

² Correspondence: Jörg Schmidtke, Abteilung für Humangenetik, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany. FAX: 49 511 532 5865; schmidtke.joerg{at}mh-hannover.de

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				M. E. Wilson and B. Kinkead Gene-Environment Interactions, Not Neonatal Growth Hormone Deficiency, Time Puberty in Female Rhesus Monkeys Biol Reprod, April 1, 2008; 78(4): 736 - 743. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]