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Male Age and Sexual Maturity: Lipopolysaccharide-induced tumor necrosis factor influences sperm quality and reproduction in Anopheles culicifacies

Rohilla, P.; Saini, V.; Srivastava, V.; Yadav, P.; Sankhala, N.; Singh, T.; Sharma, G.; Tandon, G.; Tyagi, S.; Rani, J.; Dixit, R.

2026-09-01 developmental biology
10.64898/2026.08.31.748190 bioRxiv
Show abstract

Elucidating the biological and molecular mechanisms that govern male fertility and mating behavior in mosquitoes is critical for optimizing genetic and sterile insect technique-based vector control strategies. Here, we examined age-related changes in male reproductive capacity in Anopheles culicifacies, using female egg output as an indirect indicator of male fertility. Our results demonstrated that male reproductive age follows a non-linear pattern of fertility. Morphometric analysis from emergence to day 13 post-eclosion revealed a strong correlation between seminal vesicle capacity and female fecundity, suggesting that age-dependent gonadal development directly influences reproductive potential. At the molecular level, we identified AcLITAF6 as a key regulator of male reproductive homeostasis. RNAi-mediated knockdown of AcLITAF6 impaired apoptosis-associated and phagocytic clearance, reduced sperm viability, and decreased female productive outcomes. Conclusively, we reveal a previously unrecognized role of LITAF in sperm quality control and male reproductive fitness, highlighting AcLITAF6 as a potential target for mosquito population suppression strategies.

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