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Immune-Challenged Fish Up-Regulate Their Metabolic Scope to Support Locomotion
Camille Bonneaud1,2, Robbie S Wilson3, Frank Seebacher4
1Centre for Ecology & Conservation, University of Exeter Penryn Campus, Penryn TR10 9FE, Cornwall, United Kingdom.
Plos One
|November 17, 2016
Summary
Immune responses in mosquitofish increase energy production to support activity, but do not limit metabolic capacity. Trade-offs arise from resource acquisition, not energy conversion limits.
Area of Science:
- Physiological Ecology
- Immunology
- Metabolic Physiology
Background:
- Energy-based trade-offs influence fitness by diverting energy between traits.
- The role of oxidative metabolism versus food intake in shaping these trade-offs is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if immune response ATP demands cause trade-offs with ATP for physical activity in mosquitofish (Gambusia holbrooki).
- To determine if metabolic capacity limits energy-based trade-offs during immune challenges.
Main Methods:
- Mosquitofish were injected with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or Sheep Red Blood Cells (SRBC) to simulate immune challenges.
- Oxygen consumption was measured at rest and during maximal swimming to estimate metabolic rates at 24h, 48h, and 7 days post-challenge.
Main Results:
- LPS-injected fish showed increased resting and maximal metabolic rates, leading to greater metabolic scope.
- Mosquitofish transiently increased ATP production to meet immune and swimming demands.
- Both LPS- and SRBC-injected fish exhibited reduced body mass gain, with LPS-fish losing mass.
Conclusions:
- Immune-associated trade-offs in mosquitofish are unlikely limited by oxidative metabolic capacity.
- Trade-offs may stem from limitations in resource acquisition, assimilation, or efficient utilization.
- Increased ATP production supports simultaneous immune function and physical activity, but resource limits impact growth.
