Abstract
BackgroundEcological immunology has focused on the costs of investment in immunocompetence. However, understanding optimal resource allocation to immune defence requires also identification of its benefits, which are likely to occur only when parasites are abundant.MethodologyWe manipulated the abundance of parasitic hen fleas in blue tit (Cyanistes caeruleus) nests, and supplemented their hosts, the nestlings, with methionine (a sulphur amino acid enhancing cell-mediated immunity) during day 3–6. We found a significant interaction between these two experimental factors on the development of immune defences and growth rates. Only in parasitized nests did methionine supplementation boost immune (PHA) response, and did nestling with experimentally increased immunocompetence show a relatively faster growth rate than control nestlings between days 6–9. Hence, the allocation of resources into immune defence and its growth-benefits are apparent only in presence of parasites. The main cost of methionine-induced increased allocation to the immune system was an increase in mortality, independently of ectoparasites. Nestlings in all treatments compensated initial growth reduction and all reached equal body size at day 16 (just prior to fledging), indicating a lack of long-term benefits. In addition, methionine treatment tended (P = 0.09) to lower circulating plasma immunoglobulin levels, possibly indicating a trade-off between the cell-mediated and humoral components of the immune system.ConclusionsWe found no strong benefits of an increased investment in immunocompetence in a parasite-rich environment. Any deviation from the growth trajectory (due to changes in allocation induced by methionine) is largely detrimental for survival. Hence, while costs are apparent identifying the benefits of investment in immunocompetence during ontogeny is challenging.
Highlights
In order to understand the significance of immune defence and its role in life histories, it is essential to assess its associated costs and benefits
Any deviation from the growth trajectory is largely detrimental for survival
Before the start of methionine supplementation nestlings did not differ in body mass between treatments
Summary
In order to understand the significance of immune defence and its role in life histories, it is essential to assess its associated costs and benefits. Evolutionary ecology has focused on the costs of immune defence [1]. These costs can be attributed to building up the immune machinery and maintaining a competent immune system, and to using it, i.e. responding to an immunological challenge [2,3]. Investments in immune defences can be effectively manipulated during ontogeny. Methionine is a sulphur amino-acid, essential in diet. It acts as an antioxidant and takes part in metabolism of lipids. Ecological immunology has focused on the costs of investment in immunocompetence. Understanding optimal resource allocation to immune defence requires identification of its benefits, which are likely to occur only when parasites are abundant
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