Mounting a specific immune response increases energy expenditure of the subterranean rodentCtenomys talarum(tuco-tuco): implications for intraspecific and interspecific variation in immunological traits

Abstract

SUMMARYIt was recently hypothesised that specific induced defences, which require substantial time and resources and are mostly beneficial against repeated infections, are more likely to be favoured in 'slow-living-pace' species. Therefore, understanding how different types of immune defences might vary with life history requires knowledge of the costs and benefits of defence components. Studies that have explored the energetic costs of immunity in vertebrates have done so with a focus primarily on birds and less so on mammals, particularly surface-dwelling rodents. In this study, we evaluated whether an experimental induction of the immune system with a non-pathogenic antigen elevates the energetic expenditure of a subterranean rodent: Ctenomys talarum (tuco-tucos). In both seasons studied, a significant increase in oxygen consumption was verified in immune-

Heat dissipation does not suppress an immune response in laboratory mice divergently selected for basal metabolic rate (BMR)

“…An immune challenge is the stressor meeting this condition, as heat generation is part of the immune response itself and is primarily manifested through fever (Klasing and Leshchinsky, 1999;Lee and Klasing, 2004;Lee, 2006). Furthermore, immune responses require energy to recognise and eliminate pathogens and to fuel cell proliferation and diversification or major histocompatibility complex molecule synthesis during antigen presentation in cell-mediated and humoral responses (Demas et al, 1997;Ots et al, 2001;Ksiazėk et al, 2003;Martin et al, 2003;Li et al, 2007;Ilmonen et al, 2008;Cai et al, 2009;Cutrera et al, 2010;Muehlenbein et al, 2010). Because infectionelicited heat generation through fever is compulsory (Kluger et al, 1998;Luheshi, 1998;Leshchinsky and Klasing, 2001), immune responses can be considered to be particularly relevant for testing HD limitations because an excessive rise in body temperature (i.e.…”

Complex Interplay of Body Condition, Life History, and Prevailing Environment Shapes Immune Defenses of Garter Snakes in the Wild

“…Given these characteristics, it has been hypothesized that organisms with fast pace-of-life strategies-characterized by rapid growth, early maturation, and high reproductive rate but a short life span-should rely more on innate immune defenses, whereas slow-living organisms-characterized by a long life span but slow growth, delayed maturation, and a lower reproductive rate-should rely more on adaptive immune defenses (Lee 2006). Despite the intuitive appeal of this hypothesis, few studies to date have tested its predictions, and support remains mixed (Lee et al 2008;Sparkman and Palacios 2009;Cutrera et al 2010;Previtali et al 2012). …”

“…Unlike many innate immune measures, most measures of acquired immunity routinely used by ecoimmunologists often necessitate two captures (e.g., in vivo antibody response to a challenge and delayedtype hypersensitivity response). Thus, in cases where recapture of individuals in the field is difficult, acquired immune measures have been obtained mainly from animals brought into captivity (e.g., Martin et al 2006;Cutrera et al 2010;Previtali et al 2012). An alternative approach is to use measures of acquired immunity that do not require repeated captures in the field.…”

Seasonal changes in parasite load and a cellular immune response in a colour polymorphic lizard

“…Such trade-offs may help to explain the ecologically and evolutionary important intraspecific variation in immune function that is being observed in a growing number or taxa (e.g. fish: Clotfelter et al 2007;frogs: McCallum and Trauth 2007;lizards: Svensson et al 2001;Calsbeek et al 2008;birds: Pryke et al 2007; mammals: Cutrera et al 2010).…”