Role of steroid hormones in Trichinella spiralis infection among voles

1999 ◽  
Vol 277 (5) ◽  
pp. R1362-R1367 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sabra L. Klein ◽  
H. Ray Gamble ◽  
Randy J. Nelson
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differences ◽  
Immune Function ◽  
Steroid Hormones ◽  
Trichinella Spiralis ◽  
Parasite Burden ◽  
Parasite Infection ◽  
Prairie Voles ◽  
Meadow Voles ◽  
Functional Explanations

Males are generally more susceptible to parasite infection than females. This sex difference may reflect the suppressive effects of testosterone and enhancing effects of estradiol on immune function. This study characterized the role of circulating steroid hormones in sex differences after infection with the nematode Trichinella spiralis. Because testosterone suppresses immune function and because polygynous males have higher circulating testosterone concentrations than monogamous males, sex differences in parasite burden were hypothesized to be exaggerated among polygynous meadow voles compared with monogamous prairie voles. As predicted, sex differences in response to T. spiralis infection were increased among meadow voles; males had higher worm numbers than females. Male and female prairie voles had equivalent parasite burden. Overall, prairie voles had higher worm numbers than meadow voles. Contrary to our initial prediction, differences in circulating estradiol concentrations in females, testosterone concentrations in males, and corticosterone concentrations in both sexes were not related to the observed variation in T. spiralisinfection. Taken together, these data suggest that not all sex differences in parasite infection are mediated by circulating steroid hormones and that adaptive-functional explanations may provide new insight into the causes of variation in parasite infection.

scholarly journals Sexual dimorphism in immune function: The role of sex steroid hormones

2018 ◽  
Vol 51 ◽  
pp. 02007
Author(s):  
Anna Mihailova ◽  
Indrikis Krams
Keyword(s):  
Immune System ◽  
Sexual Dimorphism ◽  
Infectious Diseases ◽  
Immune Function ◽  
Steroid Hormones ◽  
Adaptive Immunity ◽  
Gonadal Hormones ◽  
Sex Steroid ◽  
Innate And Adaptive Immunity

There is evidence of the relation of sex steroid hormones and sexual dimorphism in immune system response to infectious diseases. The aim of this review was to identify the role of sex hormones in immune function and sexual dimorphism of immune reactions. Gonadal hormones together with the immune system play an important role in process of immune responses to the disease [1]. Estrogens, progesterone and testosterone have different impacts on immune cells and different gonadal hormones are of high importance for responses of innate and adaptive immunity [1, 2]. Estrogens mainly enhance immune function while testosterone has a suppressive role. Higher progesterone during pregnancy leads to autoimmune disease remission and an elevated susceptibility toward certain infectious diseases [2, 3, 4]. The intensity and prevalence of viral infections are typically higher in males, whereas disease outcome could be worse for females [5]. Sexual dimorphism of immune function is based on different concentrations of sex hormones in males and females and on a specific mediating role of these hormones in immune function and response along with differences in innate and adaptive immunity.

Social Environment and Steroid Hormones Affect Species and Sex Differences in Immune Function among Voles

1997 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 30-39 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sabra L. Klein ◽  
Joyce E. Hairston ◽  
A.Courtney Devries ◽  
Randy J. Nelson
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differences ◽  
Immune Function ◽  
Steroid Hormones ◽  
Social Environment

Sex and species differences in cell-mediated immune responses in voles

1998 ◽  
Vol 76 (7) ◽  
pp. 1394-1398 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sabra L Klein ◽  
Randy J Nelson
Keyword(s):  
Immune Responses ◽  
Immune Function ◽  
Species Differences ◽  
Cell Mediated Immunity ◽  
Prairie Voles ◽  
Con A ◽  
Meadow Voles ◽  
Monogamous Species ◽  
Cell Mitogen ◽  
Androgenic Effect

Males generally display reduced immune responses and greater susceptibility to disease than females, possibly reflecting the suppressive effects of androgens on the immune system. It is presumed that this androgenic effect on immune function is more pronounced among polygynous than monogamous species because concentrations of circulating androgens are generally higher among polygynous than monogamous males. The present study examined sex and species differences in cell-mediated immunity of two Microtus species. Cell-mediated immunity was assessed among individually housed polygynous meadow voles (M. pennsylvanicus) and monogamous prairie voles (M. ochrogaster) by examining the proliferative responses of splenocytes to the T-cell mitogen concanavalin A (Con A) and the B-cell mitogen lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Neither sex nor species differences were observed in response to stimulation with Con A. In contrast, meadow voles exhibited higher proliferative responses to LPS than prairie voles. Sex differences in immune function were only observed among prairie voles; males exhibited higher proliferative responses to LPS than females. Male meadow voles had higher circulating testosterone concentrations than male prairie voles and female prairie voles had higher estradiol concentrations than female meadow voles. Males of both Microtus species weighed more than conspecific females. The immunological differences were not related to differences in either body mass or hormone concentrations. Overall, these data do not support the hypothesis that higher androgen concentrations in polygynous males influence sex or species differences in immune function.

scholarly journals Sex differences in alcohol use disorders the role of steroid hormones

2016 ◽  
Vol 1 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mancinelli Rosanna ◽  
Ferranti Carolina ◽  
Famele Marco ◽  
Palleschi Luca ◽  
Abenavoli Carmelo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differences ◽  
Alcohol Use ◽  
Steroid Hormones ◽  
Alcohol Use Disorders

The role of sex and temperature in melanin-based immune function

2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (9) ◽  
pp. 825-832
Author(s):  
Rebecca L. Ehrlich ◽  
Marlene Zuk
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differences ◽  
Immune Function ◽  
Thermal Environment ◽  
Interactive Effects ◽  
Field Cricket ◽  
Specific Investment ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Wing Structures

Sex differences in immunity have been observed across a wide range of species. Still, it remains unclear how sex-specific interactions with the environment are linked to sex differences in immunity. We studied the plasticity of immunological sex differences by focusing on melanin-based traits in the Pacific field cricket (Teleogryllus oceanicus (Le Guillou, 1841)). Insects rely on the pigment melanin for both immune function and coloration of the cuticle; therefore, changes in melanin production for one of these traits may indirectly affect the other. Male crickets use melanized wing structures to chirp. These cuticular structures are missing in females and a songless male morph. Given that the thermal environment influences cuticle melanization, we investigated the interactive effects of sex and developmental temperature on melanin-based immunity. Both immunity and wing cuticle melanism were reduced in individuals that developed under warmer temperatures. Rearing temperature also mediated the extent to which the sexes differed in immune traits. Males had darker cuticles, whereas females expressed greater immune activity, suggesting that sex-specific investment in melanin corresponds with sex differences in immunity. However, the lack of immunological differences between the two male morphs does not support the hypothesis that investment in cuticle melanism affects investment in immunity.

scholarly journals Social selectivity and social motivation in voles

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annaliese K Beery ◽  
Sarah A Lopez ◽  
Katrina L Blandino ◽  
Nicole S Lee ◽  
Natalie S Bourdon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Natural Variation ◽  
Social Preference ◽  
Social Preferences ◽  
Social Motivation ◽  
Oxytocin Receptor ◽  
Social Reward ◽  
Social Monogamy ◽  
Prairie Voles ◽  
Meadow Voles

Selective relationships are fundamental to humans and many other animals, but relationships between mates, family members, or peers may be mediated differently. We examined connections between social reward and social selectivity, aggression, and oxytocin receptor signaling pathways in rodents that naturally form enduring, selective relationships with mates and peers (prairie voles) or peers (meadow voles). Female prairie and meadow voles worked harder to access familiar vs. unfamiliar individuals, regardless of sex, and huddled extensively with familiar subjects. Male prairie voles also displayed strongly selective huddling preferences for familiar animals, but worked hardest to repeatedly access females vs. males, with no difference in effort by familiarity. This demonstrates a fundamental disconnect between motivation and social selectivity in males, and reveals a striking sex difference in pathways underlying social monogamy. Meadow voles exhibited social preferences but low social motivation, consistent with tolerance rather than reward supporting social groups in this species. Natural variation in oxytocin receptor genotype was associated with oxytocin receptor density, and both genotype and receptor binding predicted individual variation in prosocial and aggressive behaviors. These results provide a basis for understanding species, sex, and individual differences in the mechanisms underlying the role of social reward in social preference.

Intersexual and Intrasexual Competition and Their Relation to Jealousy

2019 ◽  
pp. 214-236
Author(s):  
Abraham P. Buunk ◽  
Karlijn Massar ◽  
Pieternel Dijkstra ◽  
Ana María Fernández
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differences ◽  
Individual Differences ◽  
Menstrual Cycle ◽  
Attachment Styles ◽  
Mate Guarding ◽  
Intrasexual Competition ◽  
Online Infidelity ◽  
Intersexual Competition

This chapter discusses sex differences in intersexual competition and describes particularly the consequences of such competition for conflict between the sexes, as well as for sex differences in mate guarding and, relatedly, in the types of infidelity that evoke jealousy, including online infidelity. It also discusses individual differences in jealousy as related to attachment styles and describes the effects of height, hormones, and the menstrual cycle on jealousy. Next, the chapter moves on to intrasexual competition and discusses, among other topics, intrasexual competition among men and among women, the role of sex differences in rival characteristics in evoking jealousy, the role of attachment styles and hormones, and individual differences in intrasexual competitiveness.

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