Protein synthesis inhibition alters Drosophila mating behavior.

Fruit fly Drosophila pseudoobscura virgin AR females mate preferentially with AR males given a choice between AR and or males. However, AR females which mated with or males when young show a significant change in sexual selection in favor of or over AR males in subsequent simultaneous choice tests. Ingestion of food moistened with 4 ml cycloheximide (400 microng/ml) produces 75% protein synthesis inhibition in the female flies. Females exposed to cycloheximide (CXM) immediately after their initial copulation with or males resemble virgin flies in their choice of mates, and mate preferentially with AR males. Females exposed to CXM before their initial copulatory experience with or males resemble or-experienced but untreated (no CXM) flies in their choice of mates, and mate preferentially with or males. The change in sexual preference shown by females with prior copulatory experience resembles learning in that it is subject to disruption by CXM in ways analogous to those reported in the literature.