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Effects of egg yolk testosterone on growth and immunity in a precocial bird
Author(s) -
Andersson S.,
Uller T.,
Lõhmus M.,
Sundström F.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
journal of evolutionary biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.289
H-Index - 128
eISSN - 1420-9101
pISSN - 1010-061X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1420-9101.2004.00706.x
Subject(s) - biology , oviparity , testosterone (patch) , quail , precocial , yolk , immunocompetence , offspring , maternal effect , coturnix japonica , avian clutch size , endocrinology , immune system , medicine , reproductive success , reproduction , zoology , ecology , pregnancy , immunology , population , genetics , demography , sociology
In oviparous vertebrates, maternal steroid allocation to eggs can have important fitness consequences for the offspring. However, elevated testosterone levels are not only associated with beneficial postnatal effects, such as enhanced growth and high social status, but may also entail costs by suppressing the immune system. In this study, testosterone levels in eggs of Chinese painted quail ( Coturnix chinensis ) were experimentally manipulated to evaluate its effects on growth and immunocompetence. Testosterone did not affect embryonic development, body size or growth during the first 20 days. However, elevated testosterone levels during embryonic development were immunosuppressive for chicks with inherently higher growth rate. Adaptive scenarios where only beneficial effects of increased testosterone levels are considered may therefore need to be re‐evaluated.