Parental care improves immunity in the seahorse ( Hippocampus erectus )

Lin, Tze–Yi; Zhang, Dong; Liu, Xin; Xiao, Dongxue

doi:10.1016/j.fsi.2016.09.065

Cited by 21 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 42 publications

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“…We could, however, not identify sexual dimorphism in the expression of immune system-related genes or metabolism-related genes in any of the three species measured. This is astonishing, as sexual immune dimorphism has been shown in earlier studies with Syngnathus typhle and in the phylogenetically closely-related seahorse species H. erectus (13,25). Both studies tested for sex differences in immune parameters by measuring the amount of certain immunologically active components (Immunoglobulin M (IgM), interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha), interleukin 2 (IL-2), lysozyme (LZM), or respiratory burst and antimicrobial activity measurements) and by measuring cells associated to the immune system (proportion of monocytes / lymphocytes, proliferation of lymphocytes and phagocytic capacity of leucocytes).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 64%

Parental investment and immune dynamics in sex-role reversed pipefishes

Tanger

Roth

2020

Preprint

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27Parental care elevates reproductive success by allocating resources into the 28 upbringing of the offspring. However, it also imposes strong costs for the care giving 29 parent and can foster sexual dimorphism. Trade-offs between the reproductive system 30 and the immune system may result in differential immunological capacities between 31 the care-providing and the non-care-providing parent. Usually, providing care is 32 restricted to the female sex making it impossible to study a sex-independent influence 33 of parental investment on sexual immune dimorphism. The decoupling of sex-34 dependent parental investment and their influences on the parental immunological 35 capacity, however, is possible in syngnathids, which evolved the unique male 36 pregnancy on a gradient ranging from a simple carrying of eggs on the trunk 37 (Nerophinae, low paternal investment) to full internal pregnancy (Syngnathus, high 38 paternal investment). In this study, we compared candidate gene expression between 39 females and males of different gravity stages in three species of syngnathids 40 (Syngnathus typhle, Syngnathus rostellatus and Nerophis ophidion) with different male 41 pregnancy intensities to determine how parental investment influences sexual immune 42 dimorphism. While our data failed to detect sexual immune dimorphism in the subset 43 of candidate genes assessed, we show a parental care specific resource-allocation 44 trade-off between investment into pregnancy and immune defense when parental care 45 is provided. 46 47 48 49 3 50 Introduction: 51 Sex-specific life histories have evolved as a consequence of anisogamy; females 52 contribute the large costly eggs and males provide the always available small sperm 53 to reproduction. To gain access to females and to maximize reproductive success, 54 males need to allocate their resources into male-male competition and the display of 55 secondary sexual signals. In contrast, females are striving for longevity to maximize 56 their lifetime reproductive success, which requires a higher investment into pathogen 57 defense (1-5). Females were thus suggested to having a more efficient immune 58 system than males (6). 59 Distinct life-history strategies between males and females can also result in differing 60 investment into the upbringing of the offspring, i.e. parental care. Parental care 61 elevates reproductive success by increasing offspring survival, however, it also 62 reduces prospects of future reproduction of the care providing parent due to a trade-63 off between investment in offspring and investment into other fitness-related traits (7). 64 This can foster sexual dimorphism (8-12) and might also contribute to sexual immune 65 dimorphism (13,14). To understand how parental care impacts sexual immune 66 dimorphism, the comparison of closely related species that differ in their provisioning 67 of parental care is essential. 68 Syngnathids, the teleost family of seahorses and pipefishes, with their unique male 69 pregnancy, represent an ideal model system to assess t...

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 64%

Parental investment and immune dynamics in sex-role reversed pipefishes

Tanger

Roth

2020

Preprint

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“…Immune capabilities of male syngnathids are higher than in females (Roth et al ., ; T. Lin et al ., ). While reproductive activities in H. erectus come with an immune cost (T. Lin et al ., ), male plasma concentration of immune factors peaks during pregnancy (T. Lin et al ., ). The mechanisms by which immunity is boosted during pregnancy are unknown.…”

Section: Physiology Of Syngnathid Pregnancymentioning

confidence: 97%

The evolution and physiology of male pregnancy in syngnathid fishes

Whittington

Friesen

2020

Biological Reviews

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The seahorses, pipefishes and seadragons (Syngnathidae) are among the few vertebrates in which pregnant males incubate developing embryos. Syngnathids are popular in studies of sexual selection, sex‐role reversal, and reproductive trade‐offs, and are now emerging as valuable comparative models for the study of the biology and evolution of reproductive complexity. These fish offer the opportunity to examine the physiology, behavioural implications, and evolutionary origins of embryo incubation, independent of the female reproductive tract and female hormonal milieu. Such studies allow us to examine flexibility in regulatory systems, by determining whether the pathways underpinning female pregnancy are also co‐opted in incubating males, or whether novel pathways have evolved in response to the common challenges imposed by incubating developing embryos and releasing live young. The Syngnathidae are also ideal for studies of the evolution of reproductive complexity, because they exhibit multiple parallel origins of complex reproductive phenotypes. Here we assay the taxonomic distribution of syngnathid parity mode, examine the selective pressures that may have led to the emergence of male pregnancy, describe the biology of syngnathid reproduction, and highlight pressing areas for future research. Experimental tests of a range of hypotheses, including many generated with genomic tools, are required to inform overarching theories about the fitness implications of pregnancy and the evolution of male pregnancy. Such information will be widely applicable to our understanding of fundamental reproductive and evolutionary processes in animals.

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“…For example, syngnathids (pipefish) encompass a spectrum including, uniquely among vertebrates, male pregnancy. In this system, the sex investing more into parental care has a more efficient immune response (Lin, Zhang, Liu, & Xiao, 2016;Roth et al, 2011), and during male pregnancy, male androgens are downregulated, whereas glucocorticoids and prolactin, typically limited to vertebrate females, are upregulated (Scobell & Mackenzie, 2011). Birds with varying extents of paternal investment (Eens & Pinxten, 2000) show similar patterns.…”

Section: Tr Ade-offs a Sso Ciated With Immune Fun C Ti On Over The mentioning

confidence: 99%