Virgin Birth Secrets Finally Discovered Using Gene Strands of Fruit Flies

In animals, reproduction may be done asexually when one organism produces genetically identical offspring or sexually when two individuals combine their genetic materials to produce genetically diverse offspring. For most species, reproduction is done sexually where the egg cell of the female is fertilized by the sperm cell of the male.

In short, it is not possible for an animal to sexually reproduce without a partner from the opposite sex. Recently, a group of scientists discovered that a form of virgin birth is possible in a sexually reproducing animal such as fruit fly.

What Is Virgin Birth?

Virgin birth, also known as parthenogenesis, refers to the process where an egg cell develops into an embryo without the need for sperm cell. This means that a male is not needed for fertilization to take place.

The offspring of a virgin birth are not considered exact clones of their mother, although they are very similar genetically. Aside from this, the offspring that results from this process is always female. Virgin birth is considered as a survival strategy which helps keep the species going even in the absence of male members.

Recently, it has been discovered that virgin birth in insects is becoming more common especially in pest species. Other members of the animal kingdom also demonstrate this ability, such as egg-laying animals including lizards, birds, and snakes.

Uncovering the Secrets of Virgin Birth

Led by Dr. Alexis Sperling from the University of Cambridge, the research team induced virgin birth to fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster. The team claimed to be the first to show that it is possible to engineer virgin births to an animal that normally reproduces sexually. They are hopeful to see a virgin fruit fly producing an embryo which will develop into adulthood.

To make this possible, Sperling and his colleagues first sequenced the genetic materials of two strains of another fruit fly species called Drosophila mercatorum. One strain requires male to reproduce, while the other strain reproduces only through virgin birth. Then the research team identified the gene that were switched on or switched off every time the flies reproduce without the males.

After successfully identifying the candidate genes for virgin birth in Drosophila mercatorum, the scientists manipulated the corresponding genes in the Drosophila melanogaster. Surprisingly, their experiment worked, and the model fruit fly suddenly acquired the ability for virgin birth.

In this study, the genetically manipulated female flies waited for about 40 days finding a male to fertilize them. After failing to find a partner, the female flies gave up and resorted to virgin birth.

It was found out that among the second generation of female flies genetically engineered for virgin birth, only 1-2% successfully produced offspring. This only occurred when there are no male flies around. When there is availability of males, however, the females mated with them and reproduced sexually in the normal way.

According to the researchers, their experiment became successful because it was done in Drosophila melanogaster and it would have been difficult to achieve in any other animal.

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