Talk:Sperm competition

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The original article was utter bollocks. So I rewrote it. Dunc_Harris|☺ 14:25, 14 Jul 2004 (UTC)

I created the article with the evolutionary psychology of rape as my frame of mind. If larger ejaculate load in response to infidelity or suspicions of infedility is not to go under sperm competition, then where should it go? Mbac 15:22, 14 Jul 2004 (UTC)

First we need to establish the basic principles of sperm competition, which I think I have reasonably done by defining it and giving a bit of history. Thanks for making me write the article :) I'm coming at it from a evolutionary biology point of view of course, but a straight biological one rather than a anthropogenic one. If you can provide citation for that claim about heavier ejaculates, then that would be good. Dunc_Harris|☺ 19:28, 14 Jul 2004 (UTC)

[edit] "However, sperm are costly to produce" ... ??

Is there a reference for this? It doesnt sound plausible that manufacturing sperm would require more calories/energy than e.g. brushing one's teeth.

There is a references section in the article. Dunc|☺ 09:13, 13 Jun 2005 (UTC)

perhaps, but I can't find a citation justifying the above claim re costliness of sperm production. Sounds like a belabored rationale for a pet sociobiology theory.

Firstly, what's wrong with sociobiology? Sperm competition is an accepted paradigm that is over thirty years old and just because you might not like the implications of socibiology doesn't mean that they're not right and supported by the evidence. Dunc|☺ 09:41, 14 Jun 2005 (UTC)

OK Mr. Smartypants, explain how sociobiology dictates that sperm are biologically costly to the sperm-producing organism. Why should sperm be more costly to produce than e.g. blood cells or snot? My point being that the original statement in the article sounds like a belabored post-hoc rationale for a pet theory and should have a clear citation backing it up rather than some general non-specific references.

Don't be unnecessarily rude. The article explains the concepts and provides references. Unfortunately it is clear that you don't understand it, and have not read the references provided. Dunc|☺ 09:43, 17 Jun 2005 (UTC)

Ok, so you can't explain it, just say so. Don't be unnecessarily obtuse.

You were the one who started it by asking a stupid question. — Dunc|☺ 21:04, 23 January 2006 (UTC)

See section "Are sperm costly?" in Wedell et al (2002) Pound 28 Oct 2005

if sperm are in fact biologically costly, why is primate masturbation so rampant? the masturbators should have been bred out of existence by now.

We still need a citation for that fact, regardless of the number of references in this article. It is not the readers' responsibility to read through all the references to find the source of one fact. 70.23.22.82 21:58, 17 February 2007 (UTC)

Masturbation is perfectly compatible with evolutionary theory. The first explanation is that by masturbating an animal gain experience of having sex (psychological effect), and it keeps them in a state of alert, in terms of hormomes, and the fact that sperm have a sell by date anyway. They will masturbate less (if at all), when having regular sex, so is does not present a disadvantage during that time.

But it is not that sperm cost a lot, each individual costs very little, and sperm are cheap (an egg in contrast is expensive). The model requires that they cost something, because then in a promiscuous society, those who produce more get an advantage, and therefore those that produce more have an advantage. It is really very simple. — Dunc|☺ 21:04, 23 January 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Article Misses the Point

This article misses the point enunciated in the bookSperm Wars that not all sperm in the ejaculate are for inseminating the ovum, some are specialized to attack and impede sperm from other males, the corollary hypothesis being that gang rape eg in war has been a sgnificant contributor to human evolution.