Seasonal variation in sex-specific immunity in wild birds

TY - JOUR

T1 - Seasonal variation in sex-specific immunity in wild birds

AU - Valdebenito, José O.

AU - Halimubieke, Naerhulan

AU - Lendvai, Ádám Z.

AU - Figuerola, Jordi

AU - Eichhorn, Götz

AU - Székely, Tamás

N1 - 7147, VT; Data archiving: data archived in Figshare (not NIOO data)

PY - 2021

Y1 - 2021

N2 - Whilst the immune system often varies seasonally and exhibits differences between males and females, the general patterns in seasonality and sex differences across taxa have remained controversial. Birds are excellent model organisms to assess these patterns, because the immune system of many species is well characterised. We conducted a meta-analysis using 41 wild bird species from 24 avian families to investigate sex differences and seasonal (breeding/non-breeding) variations in immune status, including white blood cell counts, phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) test, bacteria-killing ability (BKA), haemolysis and haemagglutination assays. We found male-biased macrophage concentration, BKA and haemolysis titers, but only during the breeding season. Sex-specific heterophil concentrations, heterophil/lymphocyte ratios and PHA responses differed between breeding and non-breeding, suggesting larger changes in males than in females. Importantly, sex differences in immune status are stronger during the breeding period than during the non-breeding period. Taken together, our study suggests that both seasonal variation and sex differences in immune system are common in birds, although their associations are more complex than previously thought.

AB - Whilst the immune system often varies seasonally and exhibits differences between males and females, the general patterns in seasonality and sex differences across taxa have remained controversial. Birds are excellent model organisms to assess these patterns, because the immune system of many species is well characterised. We conducted a meta-analysis using 41 wild bird species from 24 avian families to investigate sex differences and seasonal (breeding/non-breeding) variations in immune status, including white blood cell counts, phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) test, bacteria-killing ability (BKA), haemolysis and haemagglutination assays. We found male-biased macrophage concentration, BKA and haemolysis titers, but only during the breeding season. Sex-specific heterophil concentrations, heterophil/lymphocyte ratios and PHA responses differed between breeding and non-breeding, suggesting larger changes in males than in females. Importantly, sex differences in immune status are stronger during the breeding period than during the non-breeding period. Taken together, our study suggests that both seasonal variation and sex differences in immune system are common in birds, although their associations are more complex than previously thought.

KW - international

KW - Plan_S-Compliant_OA

U2 - 10.1038/s41598-020-80030-9

DO - 10.1038/s41598-020-80030-9

M3 - Article

C2 - 33446785

AN - SCOPUS:85099449690

SN - 2045-2322

VL - 11

JO - Scientific Reports

JF - Scientific Reports

M1 - 1349

ER -