buchanan-theeffectsoftestosterone-2009.pdf (173.58 kB)
The effects of testosterone on immune function in quail selected for divergent plasma corticosterone response
journal contribution
posted on 2009-01-01, 00:00 authored by M Roberts, Kate BuchananKate Buchanan, M Evans, R Marin, D SatterleeThe immunocompetence handicap hypothesis (ICHH) suggests that the male sex hormone testosterone has a dual effect; it controls the development and expression of male sexually selected signals, and it suppresses the immune system. Therefore only high quality males are able to fully express secondary sexual traits because only they can tolerate the immunosuppressive qualities of testosterone. A modified version of the ICHH suggests that testosterone causes immunosuppression indirectly by increasing the stress hormone corticosterone (CORT). Lines of Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) selected for divergent responses in levels of plasma CORT were used to test these hypotheses. Within each CORT response line (as well as in a control stock) we manipulated levels of testosterone in castrated quail by treatment with zero (sham), low or high testosterone implants, before testing the birdsʼ humoral immunity and phytohaemagglutinin (PHA)-induced immune response, as well as body condition. The PHA-induced response was not significantly affected by CORT selected line, testosterone treatment or their interaction. There was, however, a significant effect of CORT line on humoral immunity in that the control birds exhibited the greatest antibody production, but there was no significant effect of testosterone manipulation on humoral immunity. The males in the sham implant treatment group had significantly greater mass than the males in the high testosterone group, suggesting a negative effect of high testosterone on general body condition. We discuss these results in the context of current hypotheses in the field of sexual selection.
History
Journal
The Journal of Experimental BiologyVolume
212Pagination
3125 - 3131Publisher
The Company of Biologists Ltd.Location
Cambridge, EnglandPublisher DOI
Link to full text
ISSN
0022-0949eISSN
1477-9145Language
engPublication classification
C1 Refereed article in a scholarly journal; C Journal articleCopyright notice
2009, The Company of Biologists Ltd.Usage metrics
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No categories selectedKeywords
testosteronecorticosteroneimmunitystressJapanese quailPHASRBCselection linesbody massScience & TechnologyLife Sciences & BiomedicineBiologyLife Sciences & Biomedicine - Other TopicsMALE JAPANESE-QUAILIMMUNOCOMPETENCE HANDICAP HYPOTHESISMALE HOUSE SPARROWSBASAL METABOLIC-RATEDARK-EYED JUNCOSADRENOCORTICAL-RESPONSEBODY CONDITIONCLOACAL GLANDSTRESS HORMONESINCREASES ACTIVITY
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