1
|
Hoffman AJ, Finger JW, Kavazis AN, Wada H. Early life thermal conditioning alters heat-shock protein expression in response to an adult thermal stressor. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL ZOOLOGY. PART A, ECOLOGICAL AND INTEGRATIVE PHYSIOLOGY 2024; 341:1030-1040. [PMID: 39005228 DOI: 10.1002/jez.2858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2024] [Revised: 06/27/2024] [Accepted: 06/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024]
Abstract
Developmental environmental stressors can have instructive effects on an organism's phenotype. This developmental plasticity can prepare organisms for potentially stressful future environments, circumventing detrimental effects on fitness. However, the physiological mechanisms underlying such adaptive plasticity are understudied, especially in vertebrates. We hypothesized that captive male zebra finches (Taeniopygia castanotis) exposed to a mild heat conditioning during development would acquire a persisting thermotolerance, and exhibit increased heat-shock protein (HSP) levels associated with a decrease in oxidative damage when exposed to a high-intensity stressor in adulthood. To test this, we exposed male finches to a prolonged mild heat conditioning (38°C) or control (22°C) treatment as juveniles. Then in a 2 × 2 factorial manner, these finches were exposed to a high heat stressor (42°C) or control (22°C) treatment as adults. Following the adult treatment, we collected testes and liver tissue and measured HSP70, HSP90, and HSP60 protein levels. In the testes, finches exhibited lower levels of HSP90 and HSP60 when exposed to the high heat stressor in adulthood if they were exposed to the mild heat conditioning as juveniles. In the liver, finches exposed to the high heat stressor in adulthood had reduced HSP90 and HSP60 levels, regardless of whether they were conditioned as juveniles. In some cases, elevated testes HSP60 levels were associated with increased liver oxidative damage and diminishment of a condition-dependent trait, indicating potential stress-induced tradeoffs. Our results indicate that a mild conditioning during development can have persisting effects on HSP expression and acquired thermotolerance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - John W Finger
- Department of Biological Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama, USA
- Biomedical Sciences Department, Missouri State University, Springfield, Missouri, USA
| | | | - Haruka Wada
- Department of Biological Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Names GR, Schultz EM, Krause JS, Hahn TP, Wingfield JC, Heal M, Cornelius JM, Klasing KC, Hunt KE. Stress in paradise: effects of elevated corticosterone on immunity and avian malaria resilience in a Hawaiian passerine. J Exp Biol 2021; 224:272529. [PMID: 34553762 PMCID: PMC8546672 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.242951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Vertebrates confronted with challenging environments often experience an increase in circulating glucocorticoids, which result in morphological, physiological and behavioral changes that promote survival. However, chronically elevated glucocorticoids can suppress immunity, which may increase susceptibility to disease. Since the introduction of avian malaria to Hawaii a century ago, low-elevation populations of Hawaii Amakihi (Chlorodrepanis virens) have undergone strong selection by avian malaria and evolved increased resilience (the ability to recover from infection), while populations at high elevation with few vectors have not undergone selection and remain susceptible. We investigated how experimentally elevated corticosterone affects the ability of high- and low-elevation male Amakihi to cope with avian malaria by measuring innate immunity, hematocrit and malaria parasitemia. Corticosterone implants resulted in a decrease in hematocrit in high- and low-elevation birds but no changes to circulating natural antibodies or leukocytes. Overall, leukocyte count was higher in low- than in high-elevation birds. Malaria infections were detected in a subset of low-elevation birds. Infected individuals with corticosterone implants experienced a significant increase in circulating malaria parasites while untreated infected birds did not. Our results suggest that Amakihi innate immunity measured by natural antibodies and leukocytes is not sensitive to changes in corticosterone, and that high circulating corticosterone may reduce the ability of Amakihi to cope with infection via its effects on hematocrit and malaria parasite load. Understanding how glucocorticoids influence a host's ability to cope with introduced diseases provides new insight into the conservation of animals threatened by novel pathogens. Summary: Amakihi innate immunity, as measured by natural antibodies and leukocytes, is not sensitive to changes in corticosterone, but high circulating corticosterone may reduce the ability of Amakihi to cope with avian malaria infection via its effects on hematocrit and malaria parasite load.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gabrielle R Names
- Animal Behavior Graduate Group, University of California, Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, USA.,Department of Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior, University of California, Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Elizabeth M Schultz
- Department of Biology, Wittenberg University, 200 W Ward Street, Springfield, OH 45504, USA
| | - Jesse S Krause
- Department of Biology, University of Nevada Reno, 1664 North Virginia Street, Reno, NV 89557, USA
| | - Thomas P Hahn
- Department of Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior, University of California, Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - John C Wingfield
- Department of Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior, University of California, Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Molly Heal
- Department of Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior, University of California, Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Jamie M Cornelius
- Department of Integrative Biology, Oregon State University, 2701 SW Campus Way, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
| | - Kirk C Klasing
- Department of Animal Science, University of California, Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Kathleen E Hunt
- Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation & Department of Biology, George Mason University, 1500 Remount Rd, Front Royal, VA 22630, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Ramírez-Otarola N, Maldonado K, Cavieres G, Bozinovic F, Sabat P. Nutritional ecology and ecological immunology in degus: Does early nutrition affect the postnatal development of the immune function? JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL ZOOLOGY PART 2020; 335:239-249. [PMID: 33184965 DOI: 10.1002/jez.2429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2020] [Revised: 10/19/2020] [Accepted: 10/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Environmental conditions experienced by developing animals have an impact on the development and maturity of the immune system. Specifically, the diet experienced during early development influences the maintenance and function of the immune system in young and adult animals. It is well known that exposure to low-protein diets during early development are related to an attenuation of immunocompetence in adulthood. While this functional linkage has been widely studied in altricial models' mammals, it has been little explored how the nutritional history modulates the immune function in precocial animals. We evaluated the effect of dietary protein consumed during early development on the immune function and the oxidative costs in the precocial Caviomorph rodent Octodon degus, or degu. We evaluated components of the acute phase response (APR) and oxidative parameters before and after immune challenge. We found that after the immune challenge, the juveniles on the low-protein dietary treatment exhibited an attenuation of body temperature but showed higher levels of lipid peroxidation than juvenile degus on the high-protein diet. We did not find a significant effect of the interaction between diet and immune challenge on body mass, levels of inflammatory proteins, nor in the total antioxidant capacity. Our results suggest that some components of the immune function and the oxidative status in the degu can be modulated by diet during development. However, the modulation would depend on the immune variables analyzed, and the characteristics of the immune system of precocial rodents.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Ramírez-Otarola
- Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Mayor, Huechuraba, Santiago, Chile.,Departamento de Ciencias Ecológicas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Karin Maldonado
- Departamento de Ciencias Ecológicas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile.,Departamento de Ciencias, Facultad de Artes Liberales, Universidad Adolfo Ibañez, Santiago, Chile
| | - Grisel Cavieres
- Center of Applied Ecology and Sustainability (CAPES), Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Francisco Bozinovic
- Center of Applied Ecology and Sustainability (CAPES), Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Pablo Sabat
- Departamento de Ciencias Ecológicas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile.,Center of Applied Ecology and Sustainability (CAPES), Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Abolins-Abols M, Hauber ME. Host defences against avian brood parasitism: an endocrine perspective. Proc Biol Sci 2018; 285:rspb.2018.0980. [PMID: 30185646 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2018.0980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2018] [Accepted: 08/13/2018] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Host defences against avian brood parasites are the outcome of well-documented coevolutionary arms races, yet important questions about variation in hosts' antiparasitic response traits remain poorly understood. Why are certain defences employed by some species or individuals and not by others? Here, we propose that understanding variability in and the evolution of host defences can be facilitated by the study of the underlying physiological mechanisms. Specifically, because antiparasitic strategies involve behaviours that have been shown to be hormonally regulated in other contexts, we hypothesize that host responses to brood parasites are likely to be mediated by related endocrine mechanisms. We outline the hallmarks of the endocrine bases of parasite defence-related avian behaviours, review the current understanding of antiparasitic host tactics and propose testable hypotheses about the hormonal mechanisms that may mediate host defences. We consider these mechanisms in a life-history framework and discuss how endocrine factors may shape variation in host defences. By providing a hypothesis-driven mechanistic framework for defences against parasitism, this perspective should stimulate the study of their endocrine bases to enhance our understanding of the intricate arms races in avian host-parasite systems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mikus Abolins-Abols
- Department of Animal Biology, School of Integrative Biology, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, IL 61801, USA
| | - Mark E Hauber
- Department of Animal Biology, School of Integrative Biology, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, IL 61801, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Hoffman AJ, Finger JW, Wada H. Early stress priming and the effects on fitness‐related traits following an adult stress exposure. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL ZOOLOGY PART 2018; 329:323-330. [DOI: 10.1002/jez.2190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2018] [Revised: 05/16/2018] [Accepted: 05/30/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - John W. Finger
- Department of Biological Sciences Auburn University Auburn Alabama, USA
| | - Haruka Wada
- Department of Biological Sciences Auburn University Auburn Alabama, USA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Roncalli G, Colombo E, Soler M, Tieleman BI, Versteegh MA, Ruiz-Raya F, Gómez Samblas M, Ibáñez-Álamo JD. Nest predation risk modifies nestlings' immune function depending on the level of threat. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018; 221:jeb.170662. [PMID: 29666198 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.170662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2017] [Accepted: 04/06/2018] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Predation risk is thought to modify the physiology of prey mainly through the stress response. However, little is known about its potential effects on the immunity of animals, particularly in young individuals, despite the importance of overcoming wounding and pathogen aggression following a predator attack. We investigated the effect of four progressive levels of nest predation risk on several components of the immune system in common blackbird (Turdus merula) nestlings by presenting them with four different calls during 1 h: non-predator calls, predator calls, parental alarm calls and conspecific distress calls to induce a null, moderate, high and extreme level of risk, respectively. Nest predation risk induced an increase in ovotransferrin, immunoglobulin and the number of lymphocytes and eosinophils. Thus, the perception of a potential predator per se could stimulate the mobilization of a nestling's immune function and enable the organism to rapidly respond to the immune stimuli imposed by a predator attack. Interestingly, only high and extreme levels of risk caused immunological changes, suggesting that different immunological parameters are modulated according to the perceived level of threat. We also found a mediator role of parasites (i.e. Leucocytozoon) and the current health status of the individual, as only nestlings not parasitized or in good body condition were able to modify their immune system. This study highlights a previously unknown link between predation risk and immunity, emphasizing the complex relationship among different selective pressures (predation, parasitism) in developing organisms and accentuating the importance of studying predation from a physiological point of view.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gianluca Roncalli
- Department of Zoology, University of Granada, Campus de Fuentenueva, E-18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Elisa Colombo
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, Viale G. Colombo 3, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Manuel Soler
- Department of Zoology, University of Granada, Campus de Fuentenueva, E-18071 Granada, Spain
| | - B Irene Tieleman
- Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, 9700 CC Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Maaike A Versteegh
- Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, 9700 CC Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Fran Ruiz-Raya
- Department of Zoology, University of Granada, Campus de Fuentenueva, E-18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Mercedes Gómez Samblas
- Biochemistry and Molecular Parasitology Research Group, Department of Parasitology, University of Granada, Campus de Fuentenueva, E-18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Juan Diego Ibáñez-Álamo
- Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, 9700 CC Groningen, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Newberry GN, Swanson DL. Elevated temperatures are associated with stress in rooftop-nesting Common Nighthawk ( Chordeiles minor) chicks. CONSERVATION PHYSIOLOGY 2018; 6:coy010. [PMID: 29515805 PMCID: PMC5830973 DOI: 10.1093/conphys/coy010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2017] [Revised: 02/01/2018] [Accepted: 02/07/2018] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Grasslands and riparian forests in southeastern South Dakota have been greatly reduced since historical times, primarily due to conversion to row-crop agriculture. Common Nighthawk (Chordeiles minor) nesting habitat includes grasslands, open woodlands and urban rooftops, but nesting sites in southeastern South Dakota are confined to rooftops, as natural nesting habitat is limited. Nighthawks nesting on exposed rooftop habitats may encounter thermal conditions that increase operative temperatures relative to vegetated land cover types. Mean humidity has increased and mean wind speed and cloud cover have decreased during the nighthawk breeding season from 1948 to 2016 in southeastern South Dakota. These changes might contribute to increasing operative temperatures at exposed rooftop nest sites and this could influence chick condition. We studied nest micro-climate and the plasma stress response for 24 rooftop-nesting nighthawk chicks from 17 nests during 2015 and 2016. High humidity prior to blood collection reduced both baseline and stress-induced plasma corticosterone (CORT). In contrast, high maximum temperatures during the day before sampling increased stress-induced CORT. The magnitude of the chick stress response was significantly negatively related to maximum wind speed for the week prior to CORT measurement. Other weather and micro-climate variables were not significant effectors of CORT metrics. Most chicks had low baseline CORT and were able to mount a stress response, but a subset of chicks (n = 4) showed elevated baseline CORT and a negative association between the magnitude of stress response and ambient temperature. For this subset, mean ambient temperature for the day before sampling was significantly higher (2.3°C) than for chicks with typical baseline CORT levels. These data suggest that regional climate change trends could affect the ability of nighthawk chicks to mount a stress response, which, in turn, might influence the susceptibility of nighthawk chicks to climate change in the Northern Prairie region.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gretchen N Newberry
- Department of Biology, University of South Dakota, 414 E Clark ST, Vermillion, SD 57069, USA
| | - David L Swanson
- Department of Biology, University of South Dakota, 414 E Clark ST, Vermillion, SD 57069, USA
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
de Jong ME, Scheiber IBR, van den Brink NW, Braun A, Matson KD, Komdeur J, Loonen MJJE. Indices of stress and immune function in Arctic barnacle goslings (Branta leucopsis) were impacted by social isolation but not a contaminated grazing environment. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2017; 601-602:132-141. [PMID: 28550726 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.05.183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2017] [Revised: 05/08/2017] [Accepted: 05/20/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
In many areas around the Arctic remains and spoil heaps of old mines can be found, which have been abandoned after their heydays. Runoff from tailings of these abandoned mines can directly contaminate the local environment with elevated concentrations of trace metals. Few studies have investigated the possible negative effects of contaminants on Arctic terrestrial animals that use these areas. Trace metals can accumulate in animals and this accumulation has been linked to negative effects on fitness. Both, the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and/or the immune system have been named as possible underlying causes for these observations. Free-living animals are often exposed to multiple stressors simultaneously, however, and this is often not considered in studies on the effects of contaminants on animal physiology. Here, we performed a study on Spitsbergen (Svalbard) taking both potential effects of trace metal contamination and social stress into account. We investigated experimentally effects of exposure to contaminants from a historic coal mine area on plasma corticosterone levels and on four innate immune parameters (haemolysis, haemagglutination, haptoglobin-like activity and nitric oxide) before and after social isolation in human-raised barnacle goslings (Branta leucopsis). Baseline corticosterone and immune parameters were not affected by mine-exposure. After social isolation, mine goslings tended to show decreased haemagglutination in comparison with control goslings, but we detected no difference in the other measures. Social isolation increased corticosterone and decreased haptoglobin-like activity in all goslings. Immunology and corticosterone levels of barnacle goslings thus seem unaffected, at least on the short term, by Arctic coal mining contamination.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Margje E de Jong
- Arctic Centre, University of Groningen, Aweg 30, 9718 CW Groningen, The Netherlands.
| | - Isabella B R Scheiber
- Behavioural and Physiological Ecology, The University of Groningen, Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences (GELIFES), Nijenborgh 7, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Nico W van den Brink
- Department of Toxicology, Wageningen University, Stippeneng 4, 6708 WE Wageningen, The Netherlands.
| | - Anna Braun
- Behavioural and Physiological Ecology, The University of Groningen, Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences (GELIFES), Nijenborgh 7, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Kevin D Matson
- Resource Ecology Group, Wageningen University, Droevendaalsesteeg 3a, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands.
| | - Jan Komdeur
- Behavioural and Physiological Ecology, The University of Groningen, Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences (GELIFES), Nijenborgh 7, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands.
| | - Maarten J J E Loonen
- Arctic Centre, University of Groningen, Aweg 30, 9718 CW Groningen, The Netherlands.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Crino OL, Buchanan KL, Fanson BG, Hurley LL, Smiley KO, Griffith SC. Divorce in the socially monogamous zebra finch: Hormonal mechanisms and reproductive consequences. Horm Behav 2017; 87:155-163. [PMID: 27838360 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2016.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2016] [Revised: 11/03/2016] [Accepted: 11/06/2016] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Up to 80% of all bird species are socially monogamous. Divorce (switching partners) or pair disruption (due to the death of a partner) has been associated with decreased reproductive success, suggesting social monogamy is a strategy that may maximize fitness via coordination between partners. Previous studies have demonstrated the effects of divorce and pair disruption on immediate reproductive success. Here, we used a paired experimental design in the zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata) to examine the hormonal mechanisms that modulate parental behavior and reproductive success in response to a partnership change (hereafter divorce). Specifically, we examined the effects of divorce on the avian stress hormone corticosterone (CORT) in both parents and nestlings, parental behaviors (incubation and nestling provisioning), prolactin (PRL), and reproductive success. We found that divorce resulted in delayed clutch initiation, reduced clutch mass, and an increase in nestling CORT response to a standardized stressor. These effects on reproductive investment and chick CORT response were not clearly determined by parental endocrine responses. Divorce had no effect on the level of parental CORT. PRL levels were highly correlated within a pair regardless of treatment, were negatively related to the investment that males made in incubation, and increased in experimental males as a result of pair disruption. This study demonstrates the fundamental impact which divorce has not only on reproduction, but also the physiological stress responses of offspring and suggests that in socially monogamous animals the maintenance of a stable partnership over time could be advantageous for long term fitness.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ondi L Crino
- Centre for Integrative Ecology, Deakin University, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Geelong, Victoria, Australia; Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
| | - Katherine L Buchanan
- Centre for Integrative Ecology, Deakin University, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
| | - Benjamin G Fanson
- Centre for Integrative Ecology, Deakin University, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
| | - Laura L Hurley
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | | | - Simon C Griffith
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Killpack TL, Carrel E, Karasov WH. Impacts of Short-Term Food Restriction on Immune Development in Altricial House Sparrow Nestlings. Physiol Biochem Zool 2015; 88:195-207. [DOI: 10.1086/680168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
|
11
|
Schmidt KL, Kubli SP, MacDougall-Shackleton EA, MacDougall-Shackleton SA. Early-Life Stress Has Sex-Specific Effects on Immune Function in Adult Song Sparrows. Physiol Biochem Zool 2015; 88:183-94. [DOI: 10.1086/680599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
|
12
|
Legagneux P, Berzins LL, Forbes M, Harms NJ, Hennin HL, Bourgeon S, Gilchrist HG, Bêty J, Soos C, Love OP, Foster JT, Descamps S, Burness G. No selection on immunological markers in response to a highly virulent pathogen in an Arctic breeding bird. Evol Appl 2014; 7:765-73. [PMID: 25469158 PMCID: PMC4227857 DOI: 10.1111/eva.12180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2013] [Accepted: 04/05/2014] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
In natural populations, epidemics provide opportunities to look for intense natural selection on genes coding for life history and immune or other physiological traits. If the populations being considered are of management or conservation concern, then identifying the traits under selection (or 'markers') might provide insights into possible intervention strategies during epidemics. We assessed potential for selection on multiple immune and life history traits of Arctic breeding common eiders (Somateria mollissima) during annual avian cholera outbreaks (summers of 2006, 2007 & 2008). We measured prelaying body condition, immune traits, and subsequent reproductive investment (i.e., clutch size) and survival of female common eiders and whether they were infected with Pasteurella multocida, the causative agent of avian cholera. We found no clear and consistent evidence of directional selection on immune traits; however, infected birds had higher levels of haptoglobin than uninfected birds. Also, females that laid larger clutches had slightly lower immune responses during the prelaying period reflecting possible downregulation of the immune system to support higher costs of reproduction. This supports a recent study indicating that birds investing in larger clutches were more likely to die from avian cholera and points to a possible management option to maximize female survival during outbreaks.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pierre Legagneux
- Département de biologie & Centre d’études nordiques, Université du Québec à RimouskiRimouski, QC, Canada
| | - Lisha L Berzins
- Environmental and Life Sciences Graduate Program, Trent UniversityPeterborough, ON, Canada
| | - Mark Forbes
- Department of Biology, Carleton UniversityOttawa, ON, Canada
| | - Naomi Jane Harms
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, University of SaskatchewanSaskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Holly L Hennin
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of WindsorWindsor, ON, Canada
| | | | - H G Gilchrist
- National Wildlife Research Centre, Environment CanadaOttawa, ON, Canada
| | - Joël Bêty
- Département de biologie & Centre d’études nordiques, Université du Québec à RimouskiRimouski, QC, Canada
| | - Catherine Soos
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, University of SaskatchewanSaskatoon, SK, Canada
- Environment CanadaSaskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Oliver P Love
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of WindsorWindsor, ON, Canada
| | - Jeffrey T Foster
- Center for Microbial Genetics & Genomics, Northern Arizona UniversityFlagstaff, AZ, USA
| | | | - Gary Burness
- Department of Biology, Trent UniversityPeterborough, ON, Canada
| |
Collapse
|