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Sex comes before food for males, according to a study on nematodes.

After studying the nervous system of the microscopic roundworm C. elegans, scientists found that males and hermaphrodites act differently when exposed to food.

The findings revealed that males and hermaphrodites, which have the ability to self-fertilize, act differently when exposed to food. Hermaphrodites preferred food to mating. However, male worms would give up food to "wander" to look for mates.

Researchers discovered that chemoreceptors, which are sensory mechanisms of the AWA neurons that are regulated by the sexual identity of these cells. These chemoreceptors also control the expression of a receptor called ODR-10, which bind to a chemical scent from food and other substances.

Researchers noted that hermaphrodites are more attracted to food because they produce significantly more ODR-10 receptors when exposed to food scents. However, because males produce fewer of this receptor, researchers believe that males are better at suppressing their ability or desire to find food. Researchers believe the tossup between food and sex all depends on the quantity of ODR-10 receptors. The study revealed males deprived of food produced dramatically higher levels of ODR-10 receptors, which was linked to focusing on finding food.

"These findings show that by tuning the properties of a single cell, we can change behavior," said Portman. "This adds to a growing body of evidence that sex-specific regulation of gene expression may play an important role in neural plasticity and, consequently, influence differences in behaviors - and in disease susceptibility - between the sexes."

The findings were published Oct. 16 in the journal Current Biology.