Mating triggers dynamic immune regulations in wood ant queens.

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Serval ID
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Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
Mating triggers dynamic immune regulations in wood ant queens.
Journal
Journal of Evolutionary Biology
Author(s)
Castella G., Christe P., Chapuisat M.
ISSN
1420-9101[electronic], 1010-061X[linking]
Publication state
Published
Issued date
2009
Peer-reviewed
Oui
Volume
22
Number
3
Pages
564-570
Language
english
Abstract
Mating can affect female immunity in multiple ways. On the one hand, the immune system may be activated by pathogens transmitted during mating, sperm and seminal proteins, or wounds inflicted by males. On the other hand, immune defences may also be down-regulated to reallocate resources to reproduction. Ants are interesting models to study post-mating immune regulation because queens mate early in life, store sperm for many years, and use it until their death many years later, while males typically die after mating. This long-term commitment between queens and their mates limits the opportunity for sexual conflict but raises the new constraint of long-term sperm survival. In this study, we examine experimentally the effect of mating on immunity in wood ant queens. Specifically, we compared the phenoloxidase and antibacterial activities of mated and virgin Formica paralugubris queens. Queens had reduced levels of active phenoloxidase after mating, but elevated antibacterial activity 7 days after mating. These results indicate that the process of mating, dealation and ovary activation triggers dynamic patterns of immune regulation in ant queens that probably reflect functional responses to mating and pathogen exposure that are independent of sexual conflict.
Keywords
Animals, Anti-Infective Agents/analysis, Anti-Infective Agents/pharmacology, Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides/analysis, Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides/pharmacology, Ants/enzymology, Ants/immunology, Arthrobacter/drug effects, Female, Hemolymph/chemistry, Hemolymph/enzymology, Male, Monophenol Monooxygenase/metabolism, Random Allocation, Sexual Behavior, Animal/physiology
Pubmed
Web of science
Open Access
Yes
Create date
10/11/2008 11:08
Last modification date
20/08/2019 14:38
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