Melanin-based colouration as a potential indicator of male quality in the lizard Zootoca vivipara (Squamata: Lacertidae)

2013 ◽  
Vol 34 (4) ◽  
pp. 539-549 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica Vroonen ◽  
Bart Vervust ◽  
Raoul Van Damme
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Parasite Load ◽  
The Body ◽  
Sexually Dimorphic ◽  
Common Lizard ◽  
Zootoca Vivipara ◽  
Immune Capacity ◽  
Body Colouration

In many animals, aspects of colouration are hypothesized to convey information on the body condition or quality of individuals. This idea has been tested primarily for the carotenoid-based component of body colouration. The significance of other pigments in this context has received far less attention. In the common lizard, Zootoca vivipara, the degree of black patterning on the ventrum and throats is sexually dimorphic and varies considerably among individuals. In this study, we examine whether this melanin-based component of body colouration may reflect individual differences in quality (SVL, condition, immune response). We find that males (but not females) with a higher degree of ventral patterning mount a stronger phytohemagglutinin-induced immune response. The amount of black patterning does not correlate with body size, body condition, aspects of dorsal colouration or parasite load. We conclude that in male Zootoca vivipara, melanin-based ventral colouration may signal an aspect of immune capacity to sexual rivals or potential partners.

scholarly journals Environmental variation mediates the prevalence and co-occurrence of parasites in the common lizard, Zootoca vivipara

BMC Ecology ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Qiang Wu ◽  
Murielle Richard ◽  
Alexis Rutschmann ◽  
Donald B. Miles ◽  
Jean Clobert
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Human Disturbance ◽  
Vegetation Cover ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Environmental Gradients ◽  
Parasite Load ◽  
Single Species ◽  
Common Lizard ◽  
Zootoca Vivipara ◽  
The Common

Abstract Background Hosts and their parasites are under reciprocal selection, leading to coevolution. However, parasites depend not only on a host, but also on the host’s environment. In addition, a single host species is rarely infested by a single species of parasite and often supports multiple species (i.e., multi-infestation). Although the arms race between a parasite and its host has been well studied, few data are available on how environmental conditions may influence the process leading to multiple infestations. In this study, we examine whether: (1) environmental factors including altitude, temperature, vegetation cover, human disturbance, and grazing by livestock affect the prevalence of two types of ectoparasites, mites and ticks, on their host (the common lizard, Zootoca vivipara) and (2) competition is evident between mites and ticks. Results We found the probability of mite infestation increased with altitude and vegetation cover, but decreased with human disturbance and presence of livestock. In contrast, the probability of tick infestation was inversely associated with the same factors. Individuals with low body condition and males had higher mite loads. However, this pattern was not evident for tick loads. The results from a structural equation model revealed that mites and ticks indirectly and negatively affected each other’s infestation probability through an interaction involving the environmental context. We detected a direct negative association between mites and ticks only when considering estimates of parasite load. This suggests that both mites and ticks could attach to the same host, but once they start to accumulate, only one of them takes advantage. Conclusion The environment of hosts has a strong effect on infestation probabilities and parasite loads of mites and ticks. Autecological differences between mites and ticks, as indicated by their opposing patterns along environmental gradients, may explain the pattern of weak contemporary interspecific competition. Our findings emphasize the importance of including environmental factors and the natural history of each parasite species in studies of host–parasite coevolution.

Diet quality affects postnuptial molting and feather quality of the house sparrow (Passer domesticus): interaction with humoral immune function?

2008 ◽  
Vol 86 (8) ◽  
pp. 834-842 ◽  
Author(s):  
Péter László Pap ◽  
Csongor István Vágási ◽  
Gábor Árpád Czirják ◽  
Zoltán Barta
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
Humoral Immunity ◽  
Immune Activation ◽  
Passer Domesticus ◽  
The Body ◽  
House Sparrows ◽  
Humoral Immune ◽  
Quality Food

We investigated the effects of nutritional limitation, humoral immune activation, and their interaction on postnuptial molting of aviary-kept house sparrows ( Passer domesticus (L., 1758)). In a 2 × 2 experimental design, we measured the progress of molting and the quality of feathers produced during molting by house sparrows exposed to different diet qualities (high and low) and humoral immune activation with sheep red blood cells (SRBC). Food quality, but not the activation of humoral immunity, affected significantly the body mass and the process of molting. Sparrows feeding on low-quality food had decreased body mass and longer molts than the high-quality group. Low-quality food, but not the activation of humoral immunity, reduced significantly the length and mass (i.e., the quality) of primaries grown during molting. Birds responded significantly to injection with SRBC compared with the control group, but the immune response was similar between nutritional groups. The absence of a negative effect of humoral immunity on molting in house sparrows might be related to the low energy and nutritional requirements of mounting and maintaining a humoral immune response.

scholarly journals Effect of immunosuppressants on the parasite load developed in, and immune response to, visceral leishmaniasis: A comparative study in a mouse model

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. e0009126
Author(s):  
Lorena Bernardo ◽  
Jose Carlos Solana ◽  
Alba Romero-Kauss ◽  
Carmen Sánchez ◽  
Eugenia Carrillo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
Visceral Leishmaniasis ◽  
Tumour Necrosis ◽  
Parasite Load ◽  
Th1 Cells ◽  
Infection Period ◽  
Immunosuppressed Patients ◽  
Necrosis Factor ◽  
Immunosuppressant Treatment

The increasing use of immunosuppressants in areas where visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is endemic has increased the number of people susceptible to developing more severe forms of the disease. Few studies have examined the quality of the immune response in immunosuppressed patients or experimental animals with VL. The present work characterises the parasite load developed in, and immune response to, Leishmania infantum-induced VL in C57BL/6 mice that, prior to and during infection, received immunosuppressant treatment with methylprednisolone (MPDN), anti-tumour necrosis factor (anti-TNF) antibodies, or methotrexate (MTX). The latter two treatments induced a significant reduction in the number of CD4+ T lymphocytes over the infection period. The anti-TNF treatment was also associated with a higher parasite load in the liver and a lower parasite load in the spleen. This, plus a possibly treatment-induced reduction in the number of cytokine-producing Th1 cells in the spleen, indicates the development of more severe VL. Interestingly, the MPDN and (especially) MTX treatments provoked a greater presence of soluble Leishmania antigen-specific multi-cytokine-producing T cells in the spleen and a lower liver parasite load than in control animals. These results highlight the need to better understand how immunosuppressant treatments might influence the severity of VL in human patients.

Lower reproductive output of Mountain Bluebirds (Sialia currucoides) in clearcut versus grassland habitat is consistent with a passive ecological trap

2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (10) ◽  
pp. 895-903 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.A. Stalwick ◽  
K.L. Wiebe
Keyword(s):  
Body Condition ◽  
Reproductive Output ◽  
Grassland Birds ◽  
The Body ◽  
Ecological Trap ◽  
Laying Date ◽  
Sialia Currucoides ◽  
Mountain Bluebirds ◽  
Predation Rates

Clearcutting of forests results in habitats that structurally resemble grasslands and so may act as ecological traps for grassland birds. Several studies have implicated predation as the factor that decreases the number of offspring, but few have examined performance at other breeding stages. Consistent with a passive ecological trap, Mountain Bluebirds (Sialia currucoides (Bechstein, 1798)) that settled in clearcuts in central British Columbia did not differ in age or quality from adults in grasslands. Nest building and laying date of the first egg did not differ between habitats, suggesting an equal propensity for settling in each habitat. In clearcuts, however, the body condition of female parents was lower, and they abandoned their nests more often in harsh weather. This higher total clutch loss in clearcuts meant that seasonal production of fledglings per female was 13% less in clearcuts. Furthermore, fledglings in grasslands weighed 4% more and female fledglings had plumage with shorter (UV-shifted) wavelengths (hence greater ornamentation) than those in clearcuts, suggesting that they were also of better quality. Thus, predation rates were not the cause of reduced reproduction in clearcuts; rather, our results suggest that lower prey abundance was linked to nest abandonment in harsh weather and reduced both the number and quality of offspring in those habitats.

Quality of preimplantation embryos recovered in vivo from dairy cows in relation to their body condition

Zygote ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 378-388 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.V. Makarevich ◽  
L. Stádník ◽  
E. Kubovičová ◽  
Z. Hegedüšová ◽  
R. Holásek ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
The Body ◽  
Preimplantation Embryos ◽  
Dead Cell ◽  
Cell Numbers ◽  
The Impact

SummaryThis study examined the impact of cow body condition on the quality of bovine preimplantation embryos. The embryos (n = 107) were flushed from dairy cows and classified according to a five-point scale body condition score (BCS2 n = 17; BCS3 n = 31; BCS4 n = 11) on the 7th day after insemination and then analyzed for development, dead cell index (DCI), cell number and actin cytoskeleton quality. The highest embryo recovery rate (P < 0.05) was recorded in the BCS3 group and the lowest in the BCS4 group. More transferable (morula, blastocyst) embryos were obtained from the BCS4 cows (79%), compared with the BCS2 (64%) or BCS3 (63%) animals. However, cell numbers were higher in the BCS2 and BCS3 groups (P < 0.05) compared with the BCS4 embryos. Conversely, the DCI was lowest in the BCS2 (3.88%; P < 0.05) and highest in the BCS4 (6.56%) embryos. The proportion of embryos with the best actin quality (grade I) was higher in the BCS2 and BCS3 cows compared with the BCS4 group. Almost 25% of all embryos showed fragmented morphology and a higher DCI (5.65%) than normal morulas (1.76%). More fragmented embryos were revealed in the BCS2 (28.6%) and BCS4 (31.25%) groups, and less (19.15%) in the BCS3 group. The cell numbers in such embryos were lower in the BCS4 (22.57) than in the BCS2 (46.25) or BCS3 (42.4) groups. In conclusion, the body condition of dairy cows affects the quality of preimplantation embryos. A BCS over 3.0 resulted in a higher incidence of poor (fragmented) embryos.

scholarly journals Asociación entre calidad de ovocitos recuperados y condición corporal en vacas criollas

2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 133-138
Author(s):  
Judith Tinco-Salcedo ◽  
◽  
Ulises Quispe-Gutiérrez ◽  
Delmer Zea-Gonzales ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Condition ◽  
Germinal Vesicle ◽  
Oocyte Quality ◽  
Economic Importance ◽  
The Body ◽  
High Body ◽  
Follicular Aspiration ◽  
Ethanol Acetic Acid ◽  
Rural Dwellers

Criollo high Andean cattle are of family economic importance for rural dwellers and contribute to food security. The objective of this study was to evaluate the quantity, quality, and nuclear status of ovarian oocytes according to the body condition of Criollo cows. Groups of cows were formed according to the body condition (1=emaciated, 5=obese): low (≤1.5), moderate (2 to 2.5) and high (≥3). Ovaries (n=212) were obtained from Criollo cows from the slaughterhouse. Oocytes were recovered by follicular aspiration classifying them into categories A, B, and C, placing a portion with ethanol-acetic acid (3:1) for 24 h, then stained with 2% Lacmoid. The nuclear status of the oocyte was evaluated, categorized as intact germinal vesicle (GV) and broken germinal vesicle (GVBD). The number of oocytes recovered per ovary among low, moderate, and high body condition cows were similar (p>0.05). There was an association between body condition and oocyte quality of category A (rs=0.49; P=0.001), B (rs=0.16; P=0.018); C (rs=-0.16; P=0.016). Higher percentages (p≤0.05) of oocytes of categories A and B were obtained in those of moderate and high body condition, as category C in low body condition. Body condition did not influence (p>0.05) oocyte nuclear status. No association was found (p=0.073) between body condition and oocytes with intact GV, nor with GVBD (p=0.737). It is concluded that body condition is associated with the quality of oocytes of category A, B and C, but not with the nuclear status of GV and GVBD in Criollo cows from the slaughterhouse.

scholarly journals Study on the Effect of the Ambient Temperature toward the Quality of Sleep

2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (6) ◽  
pp. 2986
Author(s):  
Wira Hidayat bin Mohd Saad ◽  
Khoo Chin Wuen ◽  
Masrullizam bin Mat Ibrahim ◽  
Nor Hashimah Binti Mohd Saad ◽  
Syafeeza Binti Ahmad Radz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Rate ◽  
Body Temperature ◽  
Ambient Temperature ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Body Movement ◽  
The Body ◽  
Quality Of Sleep ◽  
Ambient Temperatures ◽  
The Right

Getting enough sleep at the right times can help in improving quality of life and protect mental and physical health. This study proposes a portable sleep monitoring device to determine the relationship between the ambient temperature and quality of sleep. Body condition parameter such as heart rate, body temperature and body movement was used to determine quality of sleep. All readings will be log into database so that users can review back and hence analyze quality of sleep. The functionality of the overall system is designed for a better experience with a very minimal intervention to the user. The simple test on the body condition (body temperature and heart rate) while asleep with several different ambient temperatures are varied and the result shows that someone has a better sleep for the temperature range of 23 to 28 degree Celsius. This can prove by lower body temperature and lower heart rate.

Health 4.0: body management for autoimmune using instant messaging technology. Case Study: Autoimmune

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-28
Author(s):  
R. Djajasoepena ◽  
T. Rachmatika
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Autoimmune Disease ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Instant Messaging ◽  
The Body ◽  
Immune Systems ◽  
Descriptive Research

Autoimmune disease is caused by our immune systems that attack our body. The autoimmune patients are treated by doctor that is specialized in neurology. The doctor will only give them some treatment to maintain the condition of the patient. Every patient has different body condition therefore the doctor treatment is different to manage each patient condition. It is important for the doctor to pay attention give different treatment to each patient depend on the autoimmune they have, and the patient condition. One of the method in monitoring patient condition is by doing frequent communication with the patient, so the body condition of patient can be controlled. In recent years, there are many kinds of technologies that the doctor can use tocommunicating with patients. One of the technology is instant messaging. The authors willconduct a descriptive research on how instant messaging can help the doctor and autoimmunepatients managing the quality of life by using questionnaire and analyzing the result.

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