The microbial environment modulates non-genetic maternal effects on egg immunity
H Pieter J van Veelen1,2, Joana Falcão Salles3, Kevin D Matson4
1Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, P.O. Box 11103, 9700 CC, Groningen, The Netherlands. pietervanveelen2@gmail.com.
Animal Microbiome
|July 28, 2022
Summary
Female birds adjust egg immunity based on their microbial environment. High bacterial diversity leads to increased immunoglobulin Y (IgY) in eggs, preparing offspring for diverse microbes.
Area of Science:
- Animal Behavior
- Immunology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Animal immune function is crucial in diverse microbial environments.
- Maternal effects influence offspring development, but how females use microbial cues to prime offspring immunity is unclear.
- This study investigates if environmental bacterial diversity shapes maternal effects on egg immune function in zebra finches.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if the bacterial diversity of a female zebra finch's environment influences her maternal investment in egg immune function.
- To test if females increase immunological components in eggs exposed to high bacterial diversity compared to low diversity.
Main Methods:
- Manipulated environmental bacterial diversity (high vs. low) for female zebra finches.
- Quantified lysozyme, ovotransferrin (in albumen), and immunoglobulin Y (IgY) (in yolk and maternal plasma).
- Analyzed maternal cloacal and eggshell microbiotas using 16S rRNA gene sequencing.
Main Results:
- Females in high-diversity environments deposited more egg yolk IgY, contingent on high maternal plasma IgY levels.
- No significant effects were found for lysozyme or ovotransferrin in egg albumen.
- Maternal microbiota and body condition influenced maternal effects, with innate immunity prioritized in low-diversity environments.
Conclusions:
- The parental microbial environment significantly shapes maternal effects on egg immune function.
- Non-genetic maternal effects, specifically yolk IgY levels influenced by the microbial environment, are vital for offspring adaptation.
- Priming offspring immunity via maternal effects prepares them for expected microbial challenges.
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