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Related Experiment Videos

Seasonal changes in immune function

R J Nelson1, G E Demas

  • 1Department of Psychology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, USA.

The Quarterly Review of Biology
|December 1, 1996
PubMed
Summary
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Animals adapt to winter

Area of Science:

  • Physiology
  • Immunology
  • Animal Behavior

Background:

  • Winter poses significant energetic challenges for non-tropical animals, increasing thermoregulatory demands while decreasing food availability.
  • Seasonal adaptations, including reproductive inhibition and physiological stress responses (elevated glucocorticoids), are crucial for winter survival.
  • Chronic stress from winter conditions can compromise immune function, leading to illness and death, particularly when glucocorticoid secretion persists.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the hypothesis that animals have evolved mechanisms to counteract seasonal stress-induced immunocompromise for enhanced survival.
  • To explore the role of photoperiod as a primary environmental cue for anticipating and coping with seasonal health-threatening conditions.
  • To review evidence for seasonal fluctuations in immune function and lymphatic organ characteristics in response to environmental stressors.

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Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on seasonal adaptations, physiological stress, and immune function in mammals and birds.
  • Analysis of field data on seasonal cycles of illness, death, and immune parameters.
  • Examination of laboratory studies manipulating photoperiod to assess its direct effects on immune function and hormonal changes.

Main Results:

  • Short day lengths (photoperiod) enhance immune function in laboratory studies across multiple species.
  • Seasonal peaks in lymphatic organ size and structure typically occur in late autumn or early winter.
  • While some field data suggest enhanced winter immunity, others show compromised function during harsh conditions, potentially overriding photoperiodic effects.

Conclusions:

  • Photoperiod is a key environmental factor mediating seasonal changes in immune function, generally enhancing it under short day conditions.
  • Hormonal pathways involving prolactin or melatonin likely mediate the photoperiod's effects on immune function.
  • While animals possess adaptations to cope with winter stressors, severe conditions can still lead to compromised immunity and reduced survival.