Post-mating disparity between potential and realized immune response in Drosophila melanogaster

    Authors

    K. M. Fedorka; J. E. Linder; W. Winterhalter;D. Promislow

    Comments

    Authors: contact us about adding a copy of your work at STARS@ucf.edu

    Abbreviated Journal Title

    Proc. R. Soc. B-Biol. Sci.

    Keywords

    immune function; gene expression; trade-offs; Drosophila melanogaster; mating; sexual conflict; CRICKET GRYLLUS-TEXENSIS; ACCESSORY-GLAND PRODUCTS; SEX-PEPTIDE; TRADE-OFFS; ECOLOGICAL IMMUNOLOGY; SPERM; RESISTANCE; INSECTS; COST; EXPRESSION; Biology; Ecology; Evolutionary Biology

    Abstract

    Reproductive costs are an essential component of evolutionary theory. For instance, an increase in reproduction is generally coupled with a decrease in immunocompetence shortly after mating. However, recent work in Drosophila melanogaster suggests that the potential to mount an immune response, as measured by the levels of immune gene expression, increases after mating. These data are in contrast to previous studies, which suggest that mating can reduce a fly's ability to survive an actual bacterial challenge (realized immunity). This pattern may be driven by some aspect of mating, independent of resource limitation, which reduces immune function by inhibiting the effective deployment of immune gene products. Though several studies have examined both the potential and the realized immunity after mating, none have examined these immune measures simultaneously. Here, we examined the link between the potential and the realized immunity in a sterile mutant of D. melanogaster. Shortly after mating, we found that female immune gene expression was high, but survival against infection was low. Surprisingly, this pattern was reversed within 24 h. Thus, estimates of immunity based on gene expression do not appear to reflect an actual ability to defend against pathogens in the hours following copulation. We discuss the possible mechanisms that may account for this pattern.

    Journal Title

    Proceedings of the Royal Society B-Biological Sciences

    Volume

    274

    Issue/Number

    1614

    Publication Date

    1-1-2007

    Document Type

    Article

    Language

    English

    First Page

    1211

    Last Page

    1217

    WOS Identifier

    WOS:000245627000012

    ISSN

    0962-8452

    Share

    COinS