Effect of testosterone on immunocompetence, parasite load, and metabolism in the common wall lizard (Podarcis muralis)

Details

Serval ID
serval:BIB_1F1352520A34
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
Effect of testosterone on immunocompetence, parasite load, and metabolism in the common wall lizard (Podarcis muralis)
Journal
Canadian Journal of Zoology
Author(s)
Oppliger Anne, Giorgi Maude S., Conelli Alberto, Nembrini Marco, John-Alder Henri
ISSN
0008-4301
Publication state
Published
Issued date
2004
Peer-reviewed
Oui
Volume
82
Number
11
Pages
1713-1719
Language
english
Notes
SAPHIRID:64144
Abstract
Testosterone can benefit individual fitness by increasing ornament colour, aggressiveness, and sperm quality, but it can also impose both metabolic and immunological costs. However, evidence that testosterone causes immuno suppression in freely living populations is scant. We studied the effects of testosterone on one component of the immune system (i.e., the cell-mediated response to phytohaemagglutinin), parasite load, and metabolic rate in the common wall lizard, Podarcis muralis (Laurenti, 1768). For analyses of immunocompetence and parasitism, male lizards were implanted at the end of the breeding season with either empty or testosterone implants and were returned to their site of capture for 5-6 weeks before recapture. For analyses of the effects of testosterone on metabolic rate, male lizards were captured and implanted before hibernation and were held in the laboratory for 1 week prior to calorimetry. Experimental treatment with testosterone decreased the cell-mediated response to the T-cell mitogen phytohemagglutinin and increased mean metabolic rate. No effects of testosterone on the number of ectoparasites, hemoparasites, and resting metabolic rate could be detected. These results are discussed in the framework of the immunocompetence handicap hypothesis and the immuno-redistribution process hypothesis. [Authors]
Web of science
Create date
12/05/2009 12:43
Last modification date
20/08/2019 12:55
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