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Effects of age, sex, and psychological disturbance on immunoglobulin levels in the squirrel monkey
Author(s) -
Coe Christopher L.,
Cassayre Perla,
Levine Seymour,
Rosenberg Leon T.
Publication year - 1988
Publication title -
developmental psychobiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.055
H-Index - 93
eISSN - 1098-2302
pISSN - 0012-1630
DOI - 10.1002/dev.420210205
Subject(s) - antibody , squirrel monkey , immunoglobulin g , physiology , biology , immunology , hormone , psychology , medicine , endocrinology , ecology
The following research assessed the influence of developmental, hormonal, and psychological factors on immunoglobulin and complement protein levels in the squirrel monkey. A cross‐sectional life span study established that the developmental pattern of immunoglobulins and complement proteins was similar to that observed in humans. IgG and IgM levels rose progressively with age, while the complement system was mature at birth. In contrast to humans, this species showed a significant sex difference in IgG levels with higher levels in males during both infancy and adulthood. Males also showed a greater antibody response to viral challenge than did females, and evaluation of gonadectomized subjects suggested that the sex difference in antibody production was testosterone‐dependent. The effect of acute and sustained psychological disturbance on IgG levels was also evaluated in infant monkeys. Repeated, brief separations from the mother did not alter IgG levels, but IgG levels were suppressed after a 7‐day removal from the mother. Therefore, despite the general view that immunoglobulin levels are relatively stable, these studies have established that immunoglobulin levels can be strongly influenced by hormonal and experiential factors in the squirrel monkey.