The effects of testosterone on immune function in quail selected for divergent plasma corticosterone response

Roberts, M.L.; Buchanan, Katherine L.; Evans, Matthew R.; Marín, Raúl Héctor; Satterlee, D. G.

doi:10.1242/jeb.030726

Cited by 39 publications

(35 citation statements)

References 85 publications

(121 reference statements)

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“…Our results were more consistent with the interaction demonstrated by Roberts et al [31], than with covariance of T and C [25]. We argue that the mechanisms by which the two hormones interact cannot simply be attributed to their covariance, and that an SL-ICHH must account for complexity in interactions between sex-and stress-hormones [25,31,32]. Evans [34] argues that the effects of T and C on behaviour will be species-and context-dependent.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 88%

Evidence for the stress-linked immunocompetence handicap hypothesis in human male faces

et al. 2010

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The stress-linked immunocompetence handicap hypothesis (SL-ICHH) of sexual selection incorporates a role of the stress hormone corticosterone (C; cortisol in humans) in relationships between testosterone (T), immunity and secondary sexual trait expression. In support of this, C has been shown to mediate and moderate relationships between T and immune response and to be inversely related to attractiveness in some avian species. We predicted that female preferences for cues to T in human male faces would be contingent upon co-occurring cortisol levels. In study 1, we tested relationships between T and cortisol and attractiveness, masculinity and health ratings of raw male faces. We found cortisol to be inversely related to attractiveness. In study 2, we tested female preferences for male faces that were parametrically manipulated on the basis of cues to naturally co-occurring levels of T and cortisol across the menstrual cycle. Women preferred cues to low cortisol in general and in the fertile phase of the cycle, and there was an interaction between T and cortisol in general and in the non-fertile phase. Results were consistent with the SL-ICHH but not the original immunocompetence handicap model: females expressed preferences for cues to cortisol but not for cues to T, except in interaction with the stress hormone. Results inform the SL-ICHH by demonstrating female preferences for low cortisol and the nature of its interaction with T in humans, as well as indicating the traits that may be signalled by different combinations of the hormones including immune response, current health and resource acquisition characteristics.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 88%

Evidence for the stress-linked immunocompetence handicap hypothesis in human male faces

et al. 2010

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“…Because GnRH is a releasing hormone that signals a cascade of hormones involved in reproduction, the immunosuppressive eVects detected may have been due to other hormones. For example, elevated testosterone can also result in increased levels of corticosterone (Casto et al 2001;Ketterson et al 1991;Klukowski et al 1997;Schoech et al 1999), which may directly suppress immune function (Roberts et al 2009). Similarly, the aromatization of testosterone to estradiol could be the cause of the immunosuppression observed here (Leitner et al 1996;Owen-Ashley et al 2004).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Carotenoid supplementation and GnRH challenges influence female endocrine physiology, immune function, and egg-yolk characteristics in Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica)

et al. 2012

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Androgens and carotenoids circulating in plasma affect the physiology and behavior of vertebrates. Much is known about control mechanisms and functions of each of these substances, yet their interactive effects are not well understood. Here we examine possible additive, multiplicative, and interactive effects of testosterone and carotenoids on female endocrine physiology, immunocompetence, and investment in eggs by simultaneously manipulating levels of testosterone [via gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) challenges] and carotenoids (via diet supplementation) in captive female Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica). Females were randomly assigned to one of four treatments: carotenoid supplementation, GnRH challenge, GnRH challenge + carotenoid supplementation, or control. Carotenoid supplementation significantly increased circulating plasma carotenoid levels and acquired immune system performance, but not innate immunity. GnRH challenges elevated circulating testosterone and carotenoid levels, and induced immunosuppression in females. However, females in the GnRH challenge + carotenoid supplementation treatment had higher cell-mediated immune responses than control females and similar responses to those of carotenoid-supplemented females. Hence, availability of carotenoids in female quail seemed to counteract immunosuppressive effects of GnRH challenges. Our results provide further evidence for synergistic effects of carotenoids and testosterone on endocrine physiology and immune function in female birds. Elevated plasma testosterone or carotenoids levels resulted in increased deposition of those compounds to eggs, respectively. Furthermore, because we found that concentrations of testosterone and carotenoids in yolks were correlated within each treatment group, differential deposition of hormones and carotenoids in eggs may not only respond to surrounding social and environmental conditions, but also to other components of the egg.

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“…In support of this notion, experimental increases in testosterone, within normal physiological limits, suppress immune function and increase parasite loads in several species (24,25). In addition, some studies in wild vertebrates have found that highranking males have high testosterone and/or glucocorticoids and poor health (18,21,26,27). Hence, in addition to the social stress associated with low rank, differences in reproductive effort also may cause status-related differences in health.…”

mentioning

confidence: 94%

Social status predicts wound healing in wild baboons

Archie

Altmann

Alberts

2012

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

148

139

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Social status can have striking effects on health in humans and other animals, but the causes often are unknown. In male vertebrates, status-related differences in health may be influenced by correlates of male social status that suppress immune responses. Immunosuppressive correlates of low social status may include chronic social stress, poor physical condition, and old age; the immunosuppressive correlates of high status may include high testosterone and energetic costs of reproduction. Here we test whether these correlates could create status-related differences in immune function by measuring the incidence of illness and injury and then examining healing rates in a 27-y data set of natural injuries and illnesses in wild baboon males. We found no evidence that the high testosterone and intense reproductive effort associated with high rank suppress immune responses. Instead, high-ranking males were less likely to become ill, and they recovered more quickly than low-ranking males, even controlling for differences in age. Notably, alpha males, who experience high glucocorticoids, as well as the highest testosterone and reproductive effort, healed significantly faster than other males, even other high-ranking males. We discuss why alpha males seem to escape from the immunosuppressive costs of glucocorticoids but low-ranking males do not, including the idea that glucocorticoids' effects depend on an individual's physiological and social context.

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The effects of testosterone on immune function in quail selected for divergent plasma corticosterone response

Cited by 39 publications

References 85 publications

Evidence for the stress-linked immunocompetence handicap hypothesis in human male faces

Evidence for the stress-linked immunocompetence handicap hypothesis in human male faces

Carotenoid supplementation and GnRH challenges influence female endocrine physiology, immune function, and egg-yolk characteristics in Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica)

Social status predicts wound healing in wild baboons

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