Female Fly Changes after Mating

For The Fruit Fly, Everything Changes After Sex

ScienceDaily (Dec. 11, 2007) — Barry Dickson, director of the Research Institute of Molecular Pathology (IMP) in Austria, and his group are interested in the genetic basis of innate behavior. They focus on the reproductive behaviour of the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster. Two years ago, the team was able to identify the fruitless gene as a key regulator of mating behavior.

---

In the experiment, the scientists found out that female flies lose its interests in contact with male after it mated ,and the female begin to lay down eggs. SPR, the Sexual Petitide Receptor,which is found in insect,is active in the reproductive organs as well as the brain of the flies. Because the SPR-like resceptor blocks the SPR as the Birth control pills, changes the female's sexual contacts.

This news opens my interest on the SPR. Do we have it? influence our act?????
Cool~

Source: Research Institute of Molecular Pathology. "For The Fruit Fly, Everything Changes After Sex." ScienceDaily 11 December 2007. 11 December 2007 /releases/2007/12/071210163142.htm>.