Condition, disease and immune defence

Details

Serval ID
serval:BIB_72337AD134EF
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
Condition, disease and immune defence
Journal
Oikos
Author(s)
Møller A. P., Christe P., Erritzoe J., Mavarez J.
ISSN
0030-1299
Publication state
Published
Issued date
1998
Peer-reviewed
Oui
Volume
83
Number
2
Pages
301-306
Language
english
Notes
www.jstor.org/stable/3546841
Abstract
Life-history traits and secondary sexual characters often demonstrate condition-dependence, and reproductive success thus ultimately appears to be determined by condition. Here we test the hypothesis that anti-parasite defence is condition-dependent and thus ultimately limits fitness. Animal hosts defend themselves against parasites by an efficient immune system that changes its activity level depending on level of infection. Since immune function is costly, as demonstrated by several field studies, we predicted that large immune defence organs should be maintained when the costs of an elevated immune response were reduced, or when the benefits were increased. Hence, the size of immune defence organs was predicted to increase in response to disease due to increased benefits of investment in immune function, and the; size was predicted to increase in response to high body condition because of reduced costs of investment in immune function. A comparative study of birds demonstrated that the size of the spleen was significantly increased among individuals suffering from parasitic infections and signs of disease as compared to healthy individuals. Furthermore, we found evidence for a positive association between spleen size and body condition. These findings are consistent with the hypothesised cost of immune function and hence a cost of anti-parasite defence.
Keywords
CALORIE-PROTEIN DEFICIENCIES, IMMUNOCOMPETENCE, INFECTION, SYSTEM, EVOLUTION, EXERCISE, CHICKEN
Web of science
Create date
24/01/2008 19:14
Last modification date
20/08/2019 14:30
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