Selective Reproduction

(Why can't we do that?)

Browsing my news feeds, I came across a nature and wildlife article which featured an image of a very unhappy-looking pair of Kangaroos copulating. Irresistible. I needed to know more.

The article presents a process called cryptic female choice, in which (according to the article) some female animals can control their reproductive process after mating; even after mating with multiple partners. It is described as a mechanism the female can use to internally reject a male’s sperm without the male ever knowing.

Ducks have developed counter-clockwise vaginal structure to protect females during unwanted copulation attempts. Without the contractions that relax the cloacal muscles of the female, the male cannot achieve full penetration.

The article states: In his book, Female Control: Sexual Selection by Cryptic Female Choice, William G. Eberhard provides more than 20 specific cryptic female choice mechanisms described in detail, with numerous examples for each. Even female bedbugs have developed the ability to actually kill or selectively accept sperm.

Some multiple-partnered zebra species appear to dump large volumes of sperm immediately after copulation, while other monogamous zebra species do not. Some female animals have internal sperm storage areas that can dump sperm at later points after coupling, or even dump stored sperm from previous mates after coition with subsequent males.

In other examples:

Some male insects deposit sperm on the female that she must transfer to biological fertilization sites on her body, but sometimes she discards the sperm or just eats it. (Are you laughing now? Stop that!)

Males must emit a specific song to entice the female into extending an organ for sperm deposit. (Sing it, babe.)

Males have to spend some time performing the act before the female produces the hormones necessary to prepare the uterus for implantation. (No quickies here, but you need to make it good and get done before something else comes along.)

Females can use suppressed ovulation and even biological abortion.

Seriously though, I’m very curious about science, biology and technology. I always want to know more and I find this very interesting.

So how does all this happen? Evolution seems to be a major factor, of course, but I find it difficult to believe that some of these methods involve an actual, conscious choice. Maybe some of these things happen on an instinctual level or as a physical reaction to certain types of stimuli or stress?

For more detail, you can read the article I’m referencing here.

It sounds like most of these methods are not foolproof, but simply a measure used to decrease or increase the chance of impregnation. However, even that is something.

I wonder why women haven’t developed a more effective biological means of selective birth control. We have artificial means but a natural, biological solution would be so much better and less hazardous.

In the case of force, women don’t really have any defense unless they carry weapons or learn some type of advanced physical fighting technique; it’s sad that women would have to do such things to be safe.

Although most men would not force a woman, there are places where forced sexual encounters are commonplace.

Take a look at this site to see some of the frightening devices women can choose to use for protection.

And Bruce says:

Ahhh, Ranina, this reminds me of that infamous comment by Todd Aiken, the idiot who was running for Senate in Missouri, who said that “if it’s a legitimate rape, the female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing down.”

It seems he's the kind of guy who has women and zebras confused. Pretty easy mistake to make, I've heard...