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Rosso AA, Nicholson DJ, Logan ML, Chung AK, Curlis JD, Degon ZM, Knell RJ, Garner TWJ, McMillan WO, Cox CL. Sex-biased parasitism and expression of a sexual signal. Biol J Linn Soc Lond 2020. [DOI: 10.1093/biolinnean/blaa162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Given that sexual signals are often expressed more highly in one sex than the other, they can impose a sex-specific cost of reproduction through parasitism. The two primary paradigms regarding the relationship of parasites to sexual signals are the good genes hypothesis and the immunocompetence handicap hypothesis; however, there are other ecological, morphological and energetic factors that might influence parasite infections in a sex-specific fashion. We tested the relationship between expression of a sexual signal (the dewlap) and ecological, morphological and energetic factors mediating ectoparasite (mite) load between male and female Panamanian slender anoles (Anolis apletophallus). We found that males were more highly parasitized than females because of the preponderance of ectoparasites on the larger dewlap of males. Indeed, ectoparasite infection increased with both body size and dewlap size in males but not in females, and parasite infection was related to energy storage in a sex-specific fashion for the fat bodies, liver and gonads. Our work and previous work on testosterone in anoles suggests that this pattern did not arise solely from immunosuppression by testosterone, but that mites prefer the dewlap as an attachment site. Thus, the expression of this sexual signal could incur a fitness cost that might structure life-history trade-offs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam A Rosso
- Department of Biology, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA, USA
| | - Daniel J Nicholson
- School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Michael L Logan
- Department of Biology, University of Nevada-Reno, Reno, NV, USA
- Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Panama City, Panama
| | - Albert K Chung
- Department of Biology, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA, USA
- Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - John David Curlis
- Department of Biology, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA, USA
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Zachariah M Degon
- Department of Biology, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA, USA
| | - Robert J Knell
- School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | | | - W Owen McMillan
- Department of Biology, University of Nevada-Reno, Reno, NV, USA
| | - Christian L Cox
- Department of Biology, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA, USA
- Institute of Environment and Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA
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2
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Kharwar RK, Singh V, Haldar C. Expression of Melatonin and Glucocorticoid
Receptor Varies along with Lung-Associated Cell-Mediated Immunity
in the Jungle Bush Quail Perdicula asiatica:
a Trade-off between Melatonin and Dexamethasone. J EVOL BIOCHEM PHYS+ 2020. [DOI: 10.1134/s0022093020040079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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3
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Deviche P, Bittner S, Gao S, Valle S. Roles and Mechanistic Bases of Glucocorticoid Regulation of Avian Reproduction. Integr Comp Biol 2018; 57:1184-1193. [PMID: 28985390 DOI: 10.1093/icb/icx112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
To maximize fitness, organisms must invest energetic and nutritional resources into developing, activating, and maintaining reproductive physiology and behavior. Corticosterone (CORT), the primary avian glucocorticoid, regulates energetic reserves to meet metabolic demands. At low (baseline) plasma levels, CORT activates avian mineralocorticoid receptors and may stimulate lipid mobilization, foraging activity, and feeding behavior. During stress in birds, elevated plasma CORT also stimulates glucocorticoid receptors and may promote glycemia, lipolysis, and proteolysis. Furthermore, CORT orchestrates physiological and behavioral adjustments to perceived threats. While many avian studies demonstrate effects of CORT on reproduction, few studies have elucidated the mechanisms, including receptor activation and site(s) of action, which underlie these effects. Even fewer studies have investigated how low and elevated plasma CORT regulates energetic reserves to meet the metabolic demands of reproduction. Here, we propose several hypotheses to clarify the direct and indirect effects of CORT on avian reproductive physiology and behavior. In addition, we emphasize the need for new manipulative studies involving alterations of endogenous plasma CORT levels and/or food availability to elucidate how CORT regulates the energetic demands of reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre Deviche
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-4501, USA
| | - Stephanie Bittner
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-4501, USA
| | - Sisi Gao
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-4501, USA
| | - Shelley Valle
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-4501, USA
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4
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Otálora-Ardila A, Herrera M. LG, Flores-Martínez JJ, Welch KC. Metabolic Cost of the Activation of Immune Response in the Fish-Eating Myotis (Myotis vivesi): The Effects of Inflammation and the Acute Phase Response. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0164938. [PMID: 27792729 PMCID: PMC5085018 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0164938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2016] [Accepted: 10/04/2016] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Inflammation and activation of the acute phase response (APR) are energetically demanding processes that protect against pathogens. Phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) are antigens commonly used to stimulate inflammation and the APR, respectively. We tested the hypothesis that the APR after an LPS challenge was energetically more costly than the inflammatory response after a PHA challenge in the fish-eating Myotis bat (Myotis vivesi). We measured resting metabolic rate (RMR) after bats were administered PHA and LPS. We also measured skin temperature (Tskin) after the LPS challenge and skin swelling after the PHA challenge. Injection of PHA elicited swelling that lasted for several days but changes in RMR and body mass were not significant. LPS injection produced a significant increase in Tskin and in RMR, and significant body mass loss. RMR after LPS injection increased by 140–185% and the total cost of the response was 6.50 kJ. Inflammation was an energetically low-cost process but the APR entailed a significant energetic investment. Examination of APR in other bats suggests that the way in which bats deal with infections might not be uniform.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aída Otálora-Ardila
- Posgrado en Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto de Biología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, México
| | - L. Gerardo Herrera M.
- Estación de Biología Chamela, Instituto de Biología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, San Patricio, Jalisco, México
- * E-mail:
| | - José Juan Flores-Martínez
- Laboratorio de Sistemas de Información Geográfica, Departamento de Zoología, Instituto de Biología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Kenneth C. Welch
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, Canada
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5
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Cox CL, Peaden RT, Cox RM. The metabolic cost of mounting an immune response in male brown anoles (Anolis sagrei). ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2015; 323:689-695. [DOI: 10.1002/jez.1960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2015] [Revised: 07/14/2015] [Accepted: 07/16/2015] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Christian L. Cox
- Department of Biology; Georgia Southern University; Statesboro Georgia
- Department of Biology; University of Virginia; Charlottesville Virginia
| | - Robert T. Peaden
- Department of Biology; University of Virginia; Charlottesville Virginia
| | - Robert M. Cox
- Department of Biology; University of Virginia; Charlottesville Virginia
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6
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Merlo JL, Cutrera AP, Luna F, Zenuto RR. PHA-induced inflammation is not energetically costly in the subterranean rodent Ctenomys talarum (tuco-tucos). Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 2014; 175:90-5. [PMID: 24905647 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2014.05.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2013] [Revised: 05/28/2014] [Accepted: 05/28/2014] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Immune activity has been proposed to be associated with substantial costs, due to trade-offs with other functions or activities that share common resources and contribute to an animal's fitness. However, direct estimates of the cost of mounting an immune response are few and have been performed mainly in birds. Thus, further work is needed to clarify the relative costs of different components of the immune system and the role of environmental and life-history traits in modulating the costs of resistance. Within the components of immunity, inflammation is considered to be associated with a larger energetic expenditure. Here, we evaluated the energetic cost of the inflammatory response to phytohemagglutinin (PHA) in a wild population of a subterranean rodent, Ctenomys talarum, and the trade-offs between immune activity and reproduction. C. talarum develops an inflammatory response to PHA, but contrary to our predictions, this response was not associated with an increase in oxygen consumption regardless of reproductive status or sex. Our study shows that an immune challenge may not always result in a detectable energetic cost. We discuss the possibility that other currencies could be underlying the cost, such as micro-or macronutrients requirements, autoimmunity or oxidative stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julieta L Merlo
- Laboratorio de Ecofisiología, Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras, CONICET-Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, Mar del Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Laboratorio de Ecofisiología, CIC-Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, Mar del Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Ana P Cutrera
- Laboratorio de Ecofisiología, Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras, CONICET-Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, Mar del Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Facundo Luna
- Laboratorio de Ecofisiología, Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras, CONICET-Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, Mar del Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Roxana R Zenuto
- Laboratorio de Ecofisiología, Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras, CONICET-Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, Mar del Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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7
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Finger Jr JW, Adams AL, Thomson PC, Shilton CM, Brown GP, Moran C, Miles LG, Glenn TC, Isberg SR. Using phytohaemagglutinin to determine immune responsiveness in saltwater crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus). AUST J ZOOL 2013. [DOI: 10.1071/zo13041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Immune responsiveness, the ability of an organism to effectively respond immunologically following antigenic exposure, is an essential component of life history, as organisms require effective immune functionality in order to grow, survive and reproduce. However, immune status is also associated with concomitant trade-offs in these physiological functions. Herein we demonstrate the validation of phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) injection in saltwater crocodiles, Crocodylus porosus, to assess cellular immune responsiveness. Following injection of 2 mg mL–1 PHA into the hind toe webbing, we observed a peak swelling response 12 h after injection, with PHA inducing increased thickness compared with webs injected with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) (F5,518 = 145.13, P < 0.001). Subsequent injections increased responsiveness relative to the primary injection response (F5,290 = 2.92, P = 0.029), suggesting that PHA exposure induced immunological memory, a tenet of acquired immunity. Histological examination revealed that PHA-injected toe webs displayed increased numbers of leukocytes (granulocytes, macrophages, and lymphocytes) relative to PBS-injected webs, with peak leukocytic infiltrate observed 12 h after injection. We suggest the use of PHA injection in crocodilians as a measure of cellular immune responsiveness in agricultural (production and animal welfare), ecological, and toxicological contexts.
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9
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Carotenoid supplementation and GnRH challenges influence female endocrine physiology, immune function, and egg-yolk characteristics in Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica). J Comp Physiol B 2012; 182:687-702. [DOI: 10.1007/s00360-011-0638-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2011] [Revised: 11/02/2011] [Accepted: 12/21/2011] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
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10
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Kharwar R, Haldar C. Reproductive phase dependent daily variation in melatonin receptors (Mel1a and Mel1b), androgen receptor (AR) and lung associated immunity of Perdicula asiatica. Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 2011; 159:119-24. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2011.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2010] [Revised: 02/01/2011] [Accepted: 02/02/2011] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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11
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Sepp T, Karu U, Sild E, Männiste M, Hõrak P. Effects of carotenoids, immune activation and immune suppression on the intensity of chronic coccidiosis in greenfinches. Exp Parasitol 2010; 127:651-7. [PMID: 21176774 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2010.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2010] [Revised: 11/17/2010] [Accepted: 12/14/2010] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Allocation trade-offs of carotenoids between their use in the immune system and production of integumentary colouration have been suggested as a proximate mechanism maintaining honesty of signal traits. We tested how dietary carotenoid supplementation, immune activation and immune suppression affect intensity of coccidian infection in captive greenfinches Carduelis chloris, a passerine with carotenoid-based plumage. Immune activation with phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) decreased body mass among birds not supplemented with lutein, while among the carotenoid-fed birds, PHA had no effect on mass dynamics. Immune suppression with dexamethasone (DEX) induced loss of body mass and reduced the swelling response to PHA. DEX and PHA increased the concentration of circulating heterophils. Lutein supplementation increased plasma carotenoid levels but had no effect on the swelling response induced by PHA. PHA and DEX treatments did not affect plasma carotenoids. Immune stimulation by PHA suppressed the infection, but only among carotenoid-supplemented birds. Priming of the immune system can thus aid in suppressing chronic infection but only when sufficient amount of carotenoids is available. Our experiment shows the importance of carotenoids in immune response, but also the complicated nature of this impact, which could be the reason for inconsistent results in studies investigating the immunomodulatory effects of carotenoids. The findings about involvement of carotenoids in modulation of an immune response against coccidiosis suggest that carotenoid-based ornaments may honestly signal individuals' ability to manage chronic infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tuul Sepp
- Department of Zoology, Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, Tartu University, Vanemuise 46, 51014 Tartu, Estonia.
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12
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Older can be better: physiological costs of paternal investment in the Florida scrub-jay. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2010. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-010-0966-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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13
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Roberts ML, Buchanan KL, Evans MR, Marin RH, Satterlee DG. The effects of testosterone on immune function in quail selected for divergent plasma corticosterone response. J Exp Biol 2009; 212:3125-31. [DOI: 10.1242/jeb.030726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
SUMMARY
The immunocompetence handicap hypothesis (ICHH) suggests that the male sex hormone testosterone has a dual effect; it controls the development and expression of male sexually selected signals, and it suppresses the immune system. Therefore only high quality males are able to fully express secondary sexual traits because only they can tolerate the immunosuppressive qualities of testosterone. A modified version of the ICHH suggests that testosterone causes immunosuppression indirectly by increasing the stress hormone corticosterone (CORT). Lines of Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica)selected for divergent responses in levels of plasma CORT were used to test these hypotheses. Within each CORT response line (as well as in a control stock) we manipulated levels of testosterone in castrated quail by treatment with zero (sham), low or high testosterone implants, before testing the birds'humoral immunity and phytohaemagglutinin (PHA)-induced immune response, as well as body condition. The PHA-induced response was not significantly affected by CORT selected line, testosterone treatment or their interaction. There was, however, a significant effect of CORT line on humoral immunity in that the control birds exhibited the greatest antibody production, but there was no significant effect of testosterone manipulation on humoral immunity. The males in the sham implant treatment group had significantly greater mass than the males in the high testosterone group, suggesting a negative effect of high testosterone on general body condition. We discuss these results in the context of current hypotheses in the field of sexual selection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark L. Roberts
- Division of Biology, Imperial College London, Silwood Park Campus, Buckhurst Road, Ascot, Berkshire SL5 7PY, UK
| | - Katherine L. Buchanan
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology,Deakin University, Pigdons Road, Geelong VIC 3127, Australia
| | - Matthew R. Evans
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, School of Biosciences, University of Exeter, Cornwall Campus, Penryn, Cornwall TR10 9EZ, UK
| | - Raul H. Marin
- Cátedra de Química Biológica-ICTA, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba,Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Daniel G. Satterlee
- School of Animal Sciences, Louisiana State University Agricultural Center,Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA
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14
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French SS, Moore MC, Demas GE. Ecological immunology: The organism in context. Integr Comp Biol 2009; 49:246-53. [PMID: 21665817 DOI: 10.1093/icb/icp032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
A major challenge in integrative biology is understanding the mechanisms by which organisms regulate trade-offs among various functions competing for limiting resources. Key among these competing processes is the maintenance of health and the production of offspring. Optimizing both, given limited resources, can prove challenging. The physiological and behavioral changes that occur during reproduction have been shown to greatly influence an organism's immune system, which can have consequences for susceptibility to disease. Likewise, investing in costly immunological defenses can impair reproductive function. However, the precise nature of these physiological and behavioral interactions appears to be greatly dependent upon the environmental context in which they occur. Here we take a comparative look at interactions between the reproductive and immune systems, including current immunological approaches, and discuss how similar studies can reveal vastly disparate results. Specifically, we highlight results from the ornate tree lizard (Urosuarus ornatus) and the Siberian hamster (Phodopus sungorus) model systems, which provide an example of current research in the field. Collectively, these results emphasize the importance of resource availability and an individual's energy stores for the existence of life-history trade-offs and the efficiency of physiological processes in general. Akin to Dobzhansky's famous line, like other aspects of biology, nothing in ecoimmunology seems to make sense except in the context of an organism's environment.
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