Sperm‐duct gland secretion of the grass goby Zosterisessor ophiocephalus exhibits antimicrobial activity

Abstract

The grass goby Zosterisessor ophiocephalus sperm‐duct gland extract displayed antimicrobial activity against gram‐positive and gram‐negative bacteria. This suggests that sperm‐duct gland mucins might be functional in protecting eggs and possibly parents from pathogens, an activity of great adaptive value for Z. ophiocephalus , which lays eggs in mud nests.

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