Post-mating change in excretion by mated Drosophila melanogaster females is a long-term response that depends on sex peptide and sperm

- Female D. melanogaster produce more concentrated excreta on each day post-mating.
- This increased concentration, and amount, of excreta lasts for at least ∼1 week.
- Post-mating excreta characteristics depend on release of sperm-bound sex peptide.
- This response depends only partially on the presence of a germline in the female.