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Changes in preferences for heterozygosity in MHC genes across the menstrual cycle
Ptáčková, Kateřina ; Havlíček, Jan (advisor) ; Janotová, Kateřina (referee)
5 Abstract Products of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) plays key role in immune system of vertebrates. Prior studies on different vertebrate species show, that heterozygosity in MHC genes is linked to more efficient immune system and preferred in mate choice. Results of human studies are ambivalent, which can be due to the effect of some modulating factors like reproductive status. Therefore, our aim was to test heterozygosity related preferences in faces, odor and voice across menstrual cycle. Our sample consisted of 51 men and 52 women, from which 23 used hormonal contraception and 29 had natural cycle. They were genotyped in -A, -B and -DR alleles. All odor stimuli, face photos and voice records were rated on seven-point scale in both follicular and luteal phase. Repeated measures ANOVA was used for the analysis. Changes in ratings across the menstrual cycle and heterozygosity were most discernible on voice ratings. Voices of homozygous males were rated more attractive than voices of heterozygous males especially in follicular phase. Similar shift to higher ratings in follicular phase was manifested in ratings of homozygous male faces, but the difference between homozygous males and heterozygous males was not significant. Women with natural cycle also rated voices higher in their follicular phase...
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Relationship between reactivity of immune system and facial attractiveness
Slámová, Žaneta ; Třebická Fialová, Jitka (advisor) ; Pokorný, Šimon (referee)
Previous studies have shown that physical attractiveness is one of important aspects in mate choice. Facial traits perceived as attractive may be linked to potential mate quality, or more precisely to their reproductive potential, health and ability to invest in his mate and offspring. Mating with individuals with more reactive immune system could lead to higher reproductive success and thus it is possible that visual cues facilitating detection of such traits may have evolved. The main aim of the present thesis was to test a possible association between the reactivity of the immune system response to foreign antigens (stimulated by vaccination) and facial attractiveness perceived by opposite sex individuals. Further, we investigated visual changes occurring during immune system activation. We did not find any association between measures of reactivity of immune system and perceived facial attractiveness. However, participants with activated immune system were rated as significantly less attractive and were significantly paler. Overall, our results suggest that people are sensitive to visual cues to current health status but not to overall quality of the individual. Key Words Facial attractiveness, mate choice, sexual selection; heterozygosity; symmetry; immune system, antigen; disease-avoidance,...
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Inbreeging and its influence on the fitness of animal bread in captivity
Králová, Michala ; Frynta, Daniel (advisor) ; Komárková, Martina (referee)
Habitat loss and fragmentation is now the current problem, which leads to an inevitable reduction in the effective size of populations of many species. The negative effect of reduction further enhance processes such as genetic drift and inbreeding that causes deterioration of fitness (tj.inbreeding depression). Inbreeding and related phenomena may therefore be a threat to the survival of remaining populations of endangered species. Negative effects of inbreeding on population held in captivity that are part of the various emergency programs is even more recent concern (Frankham et al. 2002, O'Grady 2006). The aim of this study was to evaluate the current literature on the effects of inbreeding on populations of fish, reptiles, birds and mammals. Inbreeding affects mainly qualities associated with fitness and sexual selection traits and behavior.
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Changes in preferences for heterozygosity in MHC genes across the menstrual cycle
Ptáčková, Kateřina ; Havlíček, Jan (advisor) ; Janotová, Kateřina (referee)
5 Abstract Products of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) plays key role in immune system of vertebrates. Prior studies on different vertebrate species show, that heterozygosity in MHC genes is linked to more efficient immune system and preferred in mate choice. Results of human studies are ambivalent, which can be due to the effect of some modulating factors like reproductive status. Therefore, our aim was to test heterozygosity related preferences in faces, odor and voice across menstrual cycle. Our sample consisted of 51 men and 52 women, from which 23 used hormonal contraception and 29 had natural cycle. They were genotyped in -A, -B and -DR alleles. All odor stimuli, face photos and voice records were rated on seven-point scale in both follicular and luteal phase. Repeated measures ANOVA was used for the analysis. Changes in ratings across the menstrual cycle and heterozygosity were most discernible on voice ratings. Voices of homozygous males were rated more attractive than voices of heterozygous males especially in follicular phase. Similar shift to higher ratings in follicular phase was manifested in ratings of homozygous male faces, but the difference between homozygous males and heterozygous males was not significant. Women with natural cycle also rated voices higher in their follicular phase...
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