Increased reproductive success of MHC class II heterozygous males among 
free-ranging rhesus macaques

Sauermann, Ulrike; Nürnberg, Peter; Bercovitch, Fred; Berard, John; Trefilov, Andrea; Widdig, Anja; Kessler, Matt; Schmidtke, Jörg; Krawczak, Michael

doi:10.1007/s004390100485

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Increased reproductive success of MHC class II heterozygous males among free-ranging rhesus macaques

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Sauermann, U., Nürnberg, P., Bercovitch, F., Berard, J., Trefilov, A., Widdig, A., et al. (2001). Increased reproductive success of MHC class II heterozygous males among free-ranging rhesus macaques. Human Genetics, 108(3), 249-254. doi:10.1007/s004390100485.

Cite as: https://hdl.handle.net/11858/00-001M-0000-002C-18CF-A

Abstract

. Gene conversion and balancing selection have been invoked to explain the ubiquitous diversity of the antigen-presenting proteins encoded in the vertebrate major histocompatibility complex (MHC). In the present study, direct evidence for over-dominant selection promoting MHC diversity in primates is provided by the observation that, in a large free-ranging population of rhesus macaques, males heterozygous at MHC class II locus Mamu-DQB1 sired significantly more offspring than homozygotes (the male-specific selection coefficient s equals 0.34). This heterozygote advantage appeared to be independent of the actual male Mamu-DQB1 genotype. No similar effect emerged for a captive group of monkeys of similar genetic background but under veterinary care.