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Does immune suppression during stress occur to promote physical performance?
Lynn B Martin1, Amber J Brace, Alexandra Urban
1University of South Florida, Department of Integrative Biology, SCA 110, Tampa, FL 33620, USA. lbmartin@usf.edu
The Journal of Experimental Biology
|August 31, 2012
Summary
Stress hormones like glucocorticoids can suppress immune function. In house sparrows, captivity led to immune disregulation but improved flight performance, supporting the resource re-allocation hypothesis for stress adaptation.
Area of Science:
- Animal Physiology
- Immunology
- Behavioral Ecology
Background:
- Stress hormones, particularly glucocorticoids, are known to suppress immune functions.
- Two hypotheses explain this: autoimmune-avoidance and resource re-allocation.
- The re-allocation hypothesis suggests resources are shifted from immunity to survival during stress.
Purpose of the Study:
- To test the re-allocation hypothesis in wild-caught house sparrows (Passer domesticus).
- To investigate if sustained elevation of glucocorticoids due to captivity impacts immune function and flight performance.
Main Methods:
- Wild-caught house sparrows were subjected to captivity to elevate baseline glucocorticoids.
- Immune function metrics (bacterial killing activity, oxidative burst) were assessed.
- Flight performance (hovering duration) and muscle size were measured.
Main Results:
- Captivity altered baseline corticosterone levels, indicating stress.
- Innate immune metrics showed signs of disregulation.
- Breast muscle size and flight performance improved during captivity.
Conclusions:
- The observed changes indirectly support the resource re-allocation hypothesis.
- Immune suppression may occur to prioritize energy for survival during stress.
- Individual immune and physical performance changes were not correlated.
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