In: Biology
Early mammalian development occurs in the uterus. What kind of selective pressures might operate in uterus?
Selection Pressure means the factors that contribute to selection of variations which will provide the individual with an increased chance of survival over others.
It is a phenomena that alters behaviour and fitness of living organisms within a given environment. A driving force of Evolution & Natural selection.Can be biotic (or) abiotic.
1. Note: Evolution of mammalian Reproductive success has strong dependence on maternal resources through placenta in utero development & early response to a successful pregnancy requires tolerance-(provided by maternal Immunity and foetal placenta).
Genes can be positively (or) negatively selected ( if gene regulated by more than one transcriptional factor there will be a negative selection).
So, for the development of mammals selection Pressure becomes important - for implantation & during gestation period.
Most important Selection Pressure involved are as following:
(a). A Co- Selection Pressure operates in the existence of 3 matrilineal generations ( mother, foetus & post - meiotic oocytes).
(b). Selection Pressure on a transgenerational template provided by the co- expression with placenta interaction with adult hypothalamus.
Invasive plancenta requires maternal immunity to adopt & respond positively.some imprinted genes that are Co- expressed in developing foetal placenta & hypothalamus same time as placenta interacts with mother's hypothalamus.
A simple figure of Co- adaptive evolution: