Heterophil/lymphocyte ratios predict the magnitude of humoral immune response to a novel antigen in great tits (Parus major)

Krams, Indriķis; Vrublevska, Jolanta; Cīrule, Dina; Kivleniece, Inese; Krama, Tatjana; Rantala, Markus J.; Sild, Elin; Hõrak, Peeter

doi:10.1016/j.cbpa.2011.12.018

Cited by 81 publications

(55 citation statements)

References 68 publications

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“…That is, only eosinophil count was a significant predictor, showing a positive relationship with breast stripe area. While B. abortus antibody count after vaccination may provide a general measure of immune function as antibody response requires coordinated activity across the immune system (Burns and Gallagher 2010;Krams et al 2012), elevated white blood cell counts may suggest recent stress (e.g. Ots and Hõrak 1998;Diaz 2010;Krams et al 2011;Cirule et al 2012).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Investment in a sexual signal results in reduced survival under extreme conditions in the male great tit (Parus major)

Moore

Cīrule

Kivleniece

et al. 2014

Behav Ecol Sociobiol

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Here, we tested for an ecologically valid cost to secondary sexual trait expression in the male great tit (Parus major). We compared the breast stripe area of a sample of males who survived extremely low night time temperatures with a sample who did not survive. Breast stripe area was significantly smaller in surviving males, suggesting a real cost of signalling in terms of survival. The relationship between breast stripe area and survival was moderated by the effects of body condition: Males with larger breast stripes were in poorer condition and hence suffered increased mortality. Finally, we tested for relationships between breast stripe area and body condition, and tarsus asymmetry and immunological parameters (Brucella abortus antibody count, heterophil to lymphocyte ratio, eosinophil count, monocyte count) in surviving males. Only eosinophil count was related to breast stripe area. Our results suggest a survival cost to investment in sexual signals, such that males who invest somatic resources in social signalling risk increased mortality under extreme environmental conditions.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Investment in a sexual signal results in reduced survival under extreme conditions in the male great tit (Parus major)

Moore

Cīrule

Kivleniece

et al. 2014

Behav Ecol Sociobiol

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“…Although we are aware of no previous research that examined relationships between plasma metabolite concentrations and H/L ratios in migrating birds, many studies have reported elevated H/L ratios in individuals with low body mass or experiencing food deprivation (Ots et al 2001;Gladbach et al 2010;Krams et al 2011;Jakubas et al 2015; but see Krams et al 2012). For example, male Upland Geese (Chloephaga picta leucoptera) showed negative correlation Table 1 Means ± standard error (SE) for condition indices and ratio of heterophils to lymphocytes (H/L ratio) in young (n = 282) and adult (n = 91) Common Snipe migrating through central Poland Because of the log-normal distribution, geometric mean ± SE is shown for the H/L ratio.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Leukocyte profiles indicate nutritional, but not moulting stress in a migratory shorebird, the Common Snipe (Gallinago gallinago)

et al. 2017

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The relative ratio of the two main leukocyte types, heterophils (H) and lymphocytes (L), is known to change proportionally to the concentrations of stress hormones in the circulating blood. Thus, analysis of leukocyte profiles serves as a reliable proxy of stress in vertebrates, as high H/L ratios indicate stronger stress response. Moult and migration are among the most energetically demanding and nutritionally stressful processes in the annual cycle of wild birds. Although most birds separate these two activities in time, a moult-migration overlap has been reported for several avian species. The aim of this study was to examine whether overlapping energy requirements of moult and migration produce an increased organismal stress in a shorebird species, the Common Snipe (Gallinago gallinago). For this purpose, we assessed leukocyte profiles and nutritional condition in more than 350 moulting and non-moulting snipe during autumn migration through central Europe. We found negative correlations between H/L ratios and different measures of condition, including size-corrected body mass, fat load, and plasma concentrations of triglycerides and total protein. However, no evidence was found for the effect of moult status on H/L ratios. Our study indicates that while migration in a poor nutritional state can be associated with elevated stress response, the process of feather replacement may not constitute a serious stress for migrating Common Snipe. We suggest that these results may help to explain the occurrence of moult-migration overlap in the Common Snipe and possibly in other avian species.

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“…The ratio heterophiles/lymphocytes (H/L) is often used as an indication of stress [34]–[36]. It relies in the known fact that glucocorticoids –the hormonal response to stressor- induces a migration of lymphocytes (L) out of the vascular compartment while enhance the entrance of new heterophiles (H) in blood [37].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The PHA Test as an Indicator of Phagocytic Activity in a Passerine Bird

et al. 2013

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Several techniques in ecological immunology have been used to assess bird immunocompetence thus providing useful information to understand the contribution of the immunological system in life-history decisions. The phytohaemagglutinin (PHA)-skin test has been the most widely employed technique being interpreted as the sole result of T lymphocytes proliferation and hence used to evaluate acquired immunological capacity. However, the presence of high numbers of phagocytic cells in the swelling point has cast some doubt about such an assumption. To address this issue, we collected blood from 14 days-old nestlings of spotless starling (Sturnus unicolor), administered subcutaneous PHA immediately after and then measured the swelling response 24 hours later. Differential counts of white blood cells suggested that an intense development of acquired immunological defences was taking place. The phagocytic activity of both heterophiles and monocytes was also very intense as it was the swelling response. Moreover, our results show, for the first time in birds, a positive relationship between the phagocytic activity of both kinds of cells and the swelling response. This broadens the significance of the PHA test from reflecting T lymphocytes proliferation -as previously proposed but still undetermined in vivo- to evaluate phagocytosis as well. In other words, our data suggest that the PHA swelling response may not be considered as the only consequence of processes of specific and induced immunity –T lymphocytes proliferation- but also of constitutive and nonspecific immunity –heterophiles and monocytes phagocytosis. We propose the extensive use of PHA-skin test as an optimal technique to assess immunocompetence.

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Heterophil/lymphocyte ratios predict the magnitude of humoral immune response to a novel antigen in great tits (Parus major)

Cited by 81 publications

References 68 publications

Investment in a sexual signal results in reduced survival under extreme conditions in the male great tit (Parus major)

Investment in a sexual signal results in reduced survival under extreme conditions in the male great tit (Parus major)

Leukocyte profiles indicate nutritional, but not moulting stress in a migratory shorebird, the Common Snipe (Gallinago gallinago)

The PHA Test as an Indicator of Phagocytic Activity in a Passerine Bird

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