Dissertation Research: Hormonal regulation of immune function in seasonally-breeding birds

论文研究：季节性繁殖鸟类免疫功能的激素调节

• 批准号: 0308474
• 负责人: John Wingfield
• 金额: $ 0.94万
• 依托单位: University of Washington
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2003
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2003-07-01 至 2005-06-30
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0308474&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Dissertation; Research; Hormonal; regulation; immune

DISSERTATION RESEARCH:HORMONAL REGULATION OF IMMUNE FUNCTIONIN SEASONALLY-BREEDING BIRDSNoah T. Owen-Ashley & John C. WingfieldUniversity of Washington, Seattle The steroid hormone testosterone (T) is thought to have bidirectional effects on fitness in many vertebrates. T is important in orchestrating reproductive and aggressive behavior in males, and promoting the development of many secondary sex characters important for female choice. On the other hand, high levels of T are thought to suppress immune function. Many studies in birds have found that T suppresses some component(s) of the immune system, but it is not known if this mechanism occurs through direct or indirect pathways. The main goal of this research is to understand the contributions of these pathways in regulating T-induced immunosuppression in the Northwestern Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia morphna) and the White-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys). Experimental elevation of T in many bird species alters the levels of other hormones, such as corticosterone and estradiol, which also regulate immunity. Therefore, avian immune function may be altered through these intermediary hormones, rather than by testosterone directly. A suite of experiments will be conducted on both species involving the use of hormone implants and/or pharmacological blockers to tease apart these direct and indirect effects on physiological and behavioral immune function. These studies will provide new insights into hormonal regulation of immunity in seasonally-breeding birds, and reconcile existing theories which assume a direct role of T in regulating a tradeoff between immunocompetence and reproductive success in male vertebrates.

季节性繁殖鸟类免疫功能的激素调节。约翰·C.华盛顿大学，西雅图类固醇激素睾酮（T）被认为对许多脊椎动物的健康有双向影响。 T在协调雄性的生殖和攻击行为方面很重要，并促进了许多对雌性选择很重要的第二性征的发展。另一方面，高水平的T被认为会抑制免疫功能。 许多对鸟类的研究发现，T抑制免疫系统的某些成分，但尚不清楚这种机制是通过直接还是间接途径发生的。 本研究的主要目的是了解这些途径在调节T诱导的免疫抑制西北麻雀（Melospiza melodia morphna）和白冠麻雀（Zonotrichia leucophrys）的贡献。 在许多鸟类中，T的实验性升高会改变其他激素的水平，如皮质酮和雌二醇，它们也调节免疫力。 因此，禽类免疫功能的改变可能是通过这些中间激素，而不是通过睾酮直接。将对两个物种进行一系列实验，包括使用激素植入物和/或药理学阻断剂，以区分这些对生理和行为免疫功能的直接和间接影响。 这些研究将为季节性繁殖鸟类的免疫激素调节提供新的见解，并调和现有的理论，这些理论假设T在调节雄性脊椎动物的免疫能力和生殖成功之间的权衡中发挥直接作用。