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Sexual dimorphism in club cell distribution in the European minnow and immunocompetence signaling
Author(s) -
Irving P. W.
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
journal of fish biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.672
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1095-8649
pISSN - 0022-1112
DOI - 10.1111/j.1095-8649.1996.tb01420.x
Subject(s) - biology , immunocompetence , minnow , phoxinus , sexual dimorphism , immune system , zoology , androgen , seasonal breeder , hormone , immunology , endocrinology , fishery , fish <actinopterygii>
Female minnows Phoxinus phoxinus have eight times as many club cells as males in their dorsal skin during the breeding season. The distribution of these cells is androgen sensitive and they may have an antipathogenic function. Since androgens also stimulate development of secondary sexual characters and depresses the immune system the putative role of nuptial coloration as a signal about immune function is discussed.