Journal
ZOOLOGY
Volume 112, Issue 1, Pages 69-75Publisher
ELSEVIER GMBH, URBAN & FISCHER VERLAG
DOI: 10.1016/j.zool.2008.04.006
Keywords
Immune function; Immunocompetence; Energetics; Reproduction
Categories
Funding
- National Basic Research Program of China [2007BC109103]
- Chinese Academy of Sciences [KSCX2-YW-N-06]
- National Natural Science Foundation of China [30570230, 30625009]
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In order to evaluate the potential costs of humoral immune response, which is important for survival in small wild mammals, we studied the physiological function of adult male Brandt's voles (Lasiopodomys brandtii) challenged with human immunoglobulin G (IgG). Compared with controls, the immunochallenged voles showed significantly higher antibody levels 15 days after injection. Serum testosterone levels, and mass of testes and epididymides were lower in immunochallenged voles than in control animals. Body mass remained stable during the course of the experiment. Total and digestible energy intake showed a transient decrease following IgG injection, while resting metabolic rate (RMR) increased. Taken together, these data suggest a shift in metabolic priorities in response to immune challenge. Our results provide evidence that mounting a humoral immune response to an immunological challenge may have fitness costs in male Brandt's voles. (C) 2008 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.
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