Reproduction affects immune defenses in the guinea pig even under ad libitum food

Abstract

Reproduction is one of the costliest processes in the life of an animal. Life history theory assumes that when resources are limiting allocation to reproduction will reduce allocation to other essential processes thereby inducing costs of reproduction. The immune system is vital for survival. If reproduction reduces investment in immune function, this could increase the risk of disease, morbidity and mortality. We here test in the guinea pig, if even under ad libitum food conditions, pregnancy and lactation reduce the activity of the adaptive and innate immune system compared to the reaction of non-reproducing animals. In response to a challenge with keyhole limpet haemocyanin the antibody-mediated adaptive immunity during (pregnancy and) lactation was reduced. Pregnant and lactating females showed higher levels of bacterial killing activity, an integrated measure of innate immunity, than non-reproducing females. However, two major effectors of the innate immunity, the natural antibody and the complement of pregnant and lactating females showed lower levels than in nonreproducing females. Pregnant and lactating females did not differ significantly in the expressed levels of innate immunity. Our results indicate that changes in the immune response during reproduction are physiological adjustments to predictable allocation problems, because they happen even under ad libitum food availability.

The cost of host genetic resistance on body condition: Evidence from divergently selected sheep

“…Similar to other studies in mammals, our results point to a regulation of immunity during the PPRI that is independent of nutrient availability in the environment (Speakman, 2008 (small mammals); Albery et al, 2020 (red deer in the wild); Trillmich et al, 2020 (Guinea pig in the laboratory)). However, the exact nature of this regulation remains unclear as none of the different mechanisms that could explain immunosuppression during gestation and/or lactation has gained acceptance so far (Barger, 1993; Beasley et al, 2012; Jeffcoate et al, 1992).…”

“…Under abundant and nutrient‐rich environments, an obligate regulation of immunity may be consistent with predictable changes in host resource allocation (French et al, 2007; Trillmich et al, 2020), in accordance with the concept of genetically driven changes in nutrient partitioning established in reproducing females of livestock species (Bauman & Currie, 1980; Chilliard, 1992; Friggens et al, 2004). In other words, females are thought to anticipate the high nutrient demand for reproductive expenditure during the periparturient period by systemically suppressing their immune response.…”

Do departure and flight route decisions correlate with immune parameters in migratory songbirds?

“…HL, mediated by complement, is part of the innate immune system and its activation results in cell lysis, especially those previously opsonized (Nauta et al, 2004). The levels of HA and HL were assessed using a single run haemolysis–haemagglutination assay as described (Matson et al, 2005) adjusted to the limited volume of plasma (Pap et al, 2015; Trillmich et al, 2020). After pipetting 10 μl of plasma into the first two columns of a U‐shaped 96‐well microtitre plate, 10‐μl sterile PBS were added to columns 2–12.…”

The Connection between Immunocompetence and Reproduction in Wildlife

“…Gravid Siberian hamsters ( Phodopus sungorus ), zebra finches ( Taeniopygia guttata ), and guinea pigs ( Cavia aperea ) demonstrated lower antibody responses after the administration of a test antigen compared to non-gravid animals [ 52 , 53 , 54 ]. In guinea pigs ( Cavia porcellus ), hemagglutinin and hemolysis tests also exhibited diminished complement system activity [ 52 ].…”