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Lymphocyte Isolation from Human Skin for Phenotypic Analysis and Ex Vivo Cell Culture
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Plasma testosterone levels decrease after activation of skin immune system in a free-ranging mammal.

Sabine Greiner1, Volker Stefanski, Martin Dehnhard

  • 1Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Alfred-Kowalke-Str 17, 10315 Berlin, Germany. greiner@izw-berlin.de

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Testosterone (TE) did not suppress immune responses in bats. Instead, immune activation reduced TE levels, aligning with the immunocompetence handicap hypothesis (ICHH) by showing that only healthy animals can maintain high TE.

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Area of Science:

  • Animal behavior
  • Endocrinology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • The immunocompetence handicap hypothesis (ICHH) suggests a trade-off between sexually selected traits and immune function, often linked to testosterone's (TE) immunosuppressive effects.
  • Investigating the relationship between TE, immune response, and stress hormones is crucial for understanding this hypothesis in natural populations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the relationship between testosterone (TE) levels and cell-mediated immunity (DTH response) in bats.
  • To determine if immune activation influences TE secretion.
  • To assess the role of baseline and stress-induced cortisol (CORT) in DTH responses.

Main Methods:

  • A DTH skin test using 1,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB) was used to measure cell-mediated immunity in the bat Carollia perspicillata.
  • Plasma TE and cortisol (CORT) levels were measured before and after an immune challenge (IC).
  • The relationship between DTH response, TE, and CORT levels was analyzed.

Main Results:

  • Individual variation in DTH response was high and not sex-dependent.
  • Pre-challenge TE levels did not correlate with DTH response magnitude.
  • Immune challenge led to decreased post-challenge TE levels in both sexes.
  • Baseline CORT did not significantly affect DTH, but induced CORT response was negatively related to DTH.

Conclusions:

  • The study does not support the idea that testosterone directly suppresses immune function in this species.
  • Immune system activation appears to reduce plasma TE, which is consistent with the ICHH.
  • These findings suggest that only immunocompetent individuals can effectively manage pathogens while maintaining high TE levels.