The hidden benefits of sex: Evidence for MHC-associated mate choice in primate societies

Setchell, J.M.; Huchard, E.

doi:10.1002/bies.201000066

The hidden benefits of sex: Evidence for MHC-associated mate choice in primate societies

Setchell, J.M.; Huchard, E.

Authors

Professor Jo Setchell joanna.setchell@durham.ac.uk
Professor

E. Huchard

Abstract

Major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-associated mate choice is thought to give offspring a fitness advantage through disease resistance. Primates offer a unique opportunity to understand MHC-associated mate choice within our own zoological order, while their social diversity provides an exceptional setting to examine the genetic determinants and consequences of mate choice in animal societies. Although mate choice is constrained by social context, increasing evidence shows that MHC-dependent mate choice occurs across the order in a variety of socio-sexual systems and favours mates with dissimilar, diverse or specific genotypes non-exclusively. Recent research has also identified phenotypic indicators of MHC quality. Moreover, novel findings rehabilitate the importance of olfactory cues in signalling MHC genes and influencing primate mating decisions. These findings underline the importance to females of selecting a sexual partner of high genetic quality, as well as the generality of the role of MHC genes in sexual selection.

Citation

Setchell, J., & Huchard, E. (2010). The hidden benefits of sex: Evidence for MHC-associated mate choice in primate societies. BioEssays, 32(11), 940-948. https://doi.org/10.1002/bies.201000066

Journal Article Type	Article
Publication Date	Nov 1, 2010
Deposit Date	Sep 30, 2010
Publicly Available Date	Apr 17, 2014
Journal	BioEssays
Print ISSN	0265-9247
Electronic ISSN	1521-1878
Publisher	Wiley
Peer Reviewed	Peer Reviewed
Volume	32
Issue	11
Pages	940-948
DOI	https://doi.org/10.1002/bies.201000066
Keywords	Compatibility, Immunity, Major histocompatibility complex, Sexual selection, Signalling.

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Copyright Statement
This is the accepted version of the following article: Setchell, J. M. and Huchard, E. (2010), The hidden benefits of sex: Evidence for MHC-associated mate choice in primate societies. Bioessays, 32 (11), 940–948, which has been published in final form at http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/bies.201000066.