Does multiple paternity influence offspring disease resistance?
K E Thonhauser1, S Raveh1,2, M Thoß1
1Konrad Lorenz Institute of Ethology, Department of Integrative Biology and Evolution, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria.
Abstract:
It has been suggested that polyandry allows females to increase offspring genetic diversity and reduce the prevalence and susceptibility of their offspring to infectious diseases. We tested this hypothesis in wild-derived house mice (Mus musculus) by experimentally infecting the offspring from 15 single- and 15 multiple-sired litters with two different strains of a mouse pathogen (Salmonella Typhimurium) and compared their ability to control infection. We found a high variation in individual infection resistance (measured with pathogen loads) and significant differences among families, suggesting genetic effects on Salmonella resistance, but we found no difference in prevalence or infection resistance between single- vs. multiple-sired litters. We found a significant sex difference in infection resistance, but surprisingly, males were more resistant to infection than females. Also, infection resistance was correlated with weight loss during infection, although only for females, indicating that susceptibility to infection had more harmful health consequences for females than for males. To our knowledge, our findings provide the first evidence for sex-dependent resistance to Salmonella infection in house mice. Our results do not support the hypothesis that multiple-sired litters are more likely to survive infection than single-sired litters; however, as we explain, additional studies are required before ruling out this hypothesis.
Insights
Polyandry in house mice (Mus musculus) did not improve offspring resistance to Salmonella Typhimurium infection. However, male mice exhibited greater resistance than females, with infection impacting female health more severely.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary biology
- Immunology
- Animal behavior
Background:
- Polyandry, mating with multiple males, is hypothesized to increase offspring genetic diversity.
- This diversity may reduce offspring susceptibility to infectious diseases.
- The role of polyandry in disease resistance is not well understood in mammals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To test if polyandry enhances offspring resistance to Salmonella Typhimurium infection in house mice.
- To investigate sex-specific differences in infection resistance and health consequences.
Main Methods:
- Experimental infection of offspring from single- and multiple-sired house mouse litters with Salmonella Typhimurium.
- Measurement of pathogen loads to assess infection resistance.
- Comparison of infection prevalence, resistance, and weight loss between litters and sexes.
Main Results:
- No significant difference in Salmonella infection prevalence or resistance was found between single- and multiple-sired litters.
- Significant genetic variation in Salmonella resistance was observed among families.
- Male mice showed higher resistance to Salmonella infection than females, with greater weight loss in females.
Conclusions:
- The study did not support the hypothesis that polyandry confers increased Salmonella resistance in house mouse offspring.
- Evidence for sex-dependent resistance to Salmonella infection in house mice was found, with males being more resistant.
- Female mice experienced more severe health consequences from infection, indicated by greater weight loss.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:35Pedigree Analysis
01:49Probability Laws
01:49Law of Segregation
01:18Dihybrid Crosses
01:43Incomplete Dominance
01:39Epistasis