No Evidence for a Trade-Off between Reproductive Investment and Immunity in a Rodent

Life history theory assumes there are trade-offs between competing functions such as reproduction and immunity. Although well studied in birds, studies of the trade-offs between reproduction and immunity in small mammals are scarce. Here we examined whether reduced immunity is a consequence of reproductive effort in lactating Brandt's voles (Lasiopodomys brandtii). Specifically, we tested the effects of lactation on immune function (Experiment I). The results showed that food intake and resting metabolic rate (RMR) were higher in lactating voles (6≤ litter size ≤8) than that in non-reproductive voles. Contrary to our expectation, lactating voles also had higher levels of serum total Immunoglobulin G (IgG) and anti-keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) IgG and no change in phytohemagglutinin (PHA) response and anti-KLH Immunoglobulin M (IgM) compared with non-reproductive voles, suggesting improved rather than reduced immune function. To further test the effect of differences in reproductive investment on immunity, we compared the responses between natural large (n≥8) and small litter size (n≤6) (Experiment II) and manipulated large (11–13) and small litter size (2–3) (Experiment III). During peak lactation, acquired immunity (PHA response, anti-KLH IgG and anti-KLH IgM) was not significantly different between voles raising large or small litters in both experiments, despite the measured difference in reproductive investment (greater litter size, litter mass, RMR and food intake in the voles raising larger litters). Total IgG was higher in voles with natural large litter size than those with natural small litter size, but decreased in the enlarged litter size group compared with control and reduced group. Our results showed that immune function is not suppressed to compensate the high energy demands during lactation in Brandt's voles and contrasting the situation in birds, is unlikely to be an important aspect mediating the trade-off between reproduction and survival

Data for: Changes in processes downstream of the hypothalamus are associated with seasonal follicle development in a songbird, the dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis)

HORMONE AND GENE EXPRESSION DATA FROM FEMALE DARK-EYED JUNCOS LEADING UP TO BREEDING

Data for: Changes in processes downstream of the hypothalamus are associated with seasonal follicle development in a songbird, the dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis)

HORMONE AND GENE EXPRESSION DATA FROM FEMALE DARK-EYED JUNCOS LEADING UP TO BREEDING.THIS DATASET IS ARCHIVED AT DANS/EASY, BUT NOT ACCESSIBLE HERE. TO VIEW A LIST OF FILES AND ACCESS THE FILES IN THIS DATASET CLICK ON THE DOI-LINK ABOV

Early to rise, early to breed: A role for daily rhythms in seasonal reproduction

Vertebrates use environmental cues to time reproduction to optimal breeding conditions. Numerous laboratory studies have revealed that light experienced during a critical window of the circadian (daily) rhythm can influence reproductive physiology. However, whether these relationships observed in captivity hold true under natural conditions and how they relate to observed variation in timing of reproductive output remains largely unexplored. Here we test the hypothesis that individual variation in daily timing recorded in nature (i.e. chronotype) is linked with variation in timing of breeding. To address this hypothesis and its generality across species, we recorded incubation behavior data to identify individual patterns in daily onset of activity for 2 temperate-breeding songbird species, the dark-eyed junco (Junco hyemalis aikeni) and the great tit (Parus major). We found that females who first departed from their nest earlier in the morning (earlier chronotype) also initiated nests earlier in the year. Date of data collection and ambient temperature had no effect, but stage of incubation influenced daily onset of activity in great tits. Our findings suggest a role for daily rhythms as one mechanism underlying the observed variation in seasonal timing of breeding.publishe

Continuous release melatonin implants delay daily activity onset and alter reproductive success in the great tit (<i>Parus major</i>)

Endogenous rhythms are thought to enhance fitness by facilitating proper timing of biological functions with environmental conditions. The majority of research on circadian rhythms however have been conducted in the lab, where the fitness relevance of endogenous rhythms cannot easily be determined. The pineal hormone melatonin is an important component for the entrainment of circadian rhythms with the organism's diel environment. The current study aimed to begin to uncover the effects of disrupting endogenous rhythms via manipulation of melatonin rhythmicity in a free−living vertebrate. Three weeks prior to egg−laying, wild male great tits (Parus major) received a silastic implant either left empty or filled with melatonin; this manipulation is known to elevate daytime melatonin to levels comparable with normal night peak levels. Additionally, all individuals received a radio−transmitter, and using automated telemetry recording, the precise timing of daily behavioral activity onset was recorded. Individuals were followed throughout the breeding season and measures of reproductive success and extra−pair paternity were assessed. Male great tits receiving melatonin implants delayed daily activity onset compared with control birds, presumably due to the inability to use the melatonin rhythm to entrain endogenous rhythms, and were thus unable to anticipate sunrise. These birds, however became active during the morning light. Control birds became active before sunrise during the dawn chorus. Melatonin−treated birds were more likely to be cuckolded and tended to sire fewer total offspring. These results indicate a strong selective advantage for a functional circadian system capable of anticipating important diel environmental transitions

Human disturbance alters endocrine and immune responses in the Galapagos marine iguana (Amblyrhynchus cristatus)

Anthropogenic disturbance is a relevant and widespread facilitator of environmental change and there is clear evidence that it impacts natural populations. While population-level responses to major anthropogenic changes have been well studied, individual physiological responses to mild disturbance can be equally critical to the long-term survival of a species, yet they remain largely unexamined. The current study investigated the impact of seemingly low-level anthropogenic disturbance (ecotourism) on stress responsiveness and specific fitness-related immune measures in different breeding stages of the marine iguana (Amblyrhynchus cristatus). Specifically, we found stress-induced elevations in plasma corticosterone among tourist-exposed populations relative to undisturbed populations. We also found changes in multiple immunological responses associated with stress-related effects of human disturbance, including bacterial killing ability, cutaneous wound healing, and hemolytic complement activity, and the responses varied according to reproductive state. By identifying health-related consequences of human disturbance, this study provides critical insight into the conservation of a well-known species that has a very distinct ecology. The study also broadens the foundation of knowledge needed to understand the global significance of various levels of human disturbance

The glutamate agonist NMDA blocks gonadal regression and enhances antibody response to an immune challenge in Siberian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus)

Seasonal variation in behavior and physiology, including changes in immune function, are common. This variability is elicited by changes in photoperiod and often covaries with fluctuations in both energy reserves and reproductive state. It is unclear, however, whether changes in either variable alone drive seasonal changes in immunity. We investigated the relative contributions of reproduction and energy balance to changes in immune function. To accomplish this, we uncoupled seasonal changes in reproduction from those related to energy balance via daily injections of N-methyl-D-Aspartate (NMDA) in Siberian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus). NMDA is a glutamatergic agonist that blocks short-day induced gonadal regression while leaving short-day declines in body mass unaffected. In Experiment 1, we examined the effect of differing doses of NMDA on testosterone production as a proxy for NMDA effects on reproduction; a dose-dependent rise in testosterone was observed. In Experiment 2, animals were maintained on long or short days and received daily injections of NMDA. After eight weeks all animals underwent a humoral immune challenge. Short-day animals receiving daily injections of NMDA maintained long-day-like gonads, however contrary to our predictions, no trade-off between reproduction or energy balance and immune function was observed. Unexpectedly, NMDA treatment increased immunoglobulin levels in all groups, suggesting NMDA may provide an immunomodulatory signal, presumably through actions on peripheral glutamate receptors. These results support a previous finding that NMDA blocks reproductive regression. In addition, these findings demonstrate a general immunoenhancing effect of NMDA that appears independent of changes in reproductive or energetic state of the animal