Prelaying maternal condition modifies the association between egg mass and T cell-mediated immunity in kestrels

Martinez-Padilla, J.. 2006 Prelaying maternal condition modifies the association between egg mass and T cell-mediated immunity in kestrels. Behavioural Ecology and Sociobiology, 60 (4). 510-515. 10.1007/s00265-006-0193-1

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Official URL: http://www.springerlink.com/content/g3600047637631...

Abstract/Summary

Theoretical models of parental care predict differential allocation in relation to the expected fitness of the offspring. As birds must allocate all the resources required for embryonic development in self-contained packages, maternal egg allocation takes a central role in avian life histories. It is predicted that mothers can influence offspring performance by varying the size or composition of their eggs. In this context, T cell-mediated immune response has been revealed as a valuable tool to evaluate fledgling fitness. However, little is known about its relationships to egg mass. I describe a negative association between egg mass and cellular immune response in Eurasian kestrel nestlings (Falco tinnunculus) throughout 3 years. To explore how environmental conditions could mediate this relationship, I experimentally supplied food to females before egg formation in the third study year. I found that this relationship turned to positive in food-supplied females without any effect on egg size. This result shows that environmental conditions before egg formation mediate the relationship between egg mass and future immune response of the nestlings. I suggest that females may be constrained in improving the future immune response of their offspring due to resource allocation trade-offs determined by their pre-laying condition.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	10.1007/s00265-006-0193-1
Programmes:	CEH Programmes pre-2009 publications > Biodiversity
UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:	Watt
ISSN:	0340-5443
Additional Information. Not used in RCUK Gateway to Research.:	The original publication is available at www.springerlink.com
Additional Keywords:	Egg quality, Female condition, Food supplementation, Maternal effects, Falco tinnunculus
NORA Subject Terms:	Zoology Biology and Microbiology
Date made live:	14 Dec 2009 09:40 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/8779

Item Type:

Publication - Article

Digital Object Identifier (DOI):

10.1007/s00265-006-0193-1

Programmes:

CEH Programmes pre-2009 publications > Biodiversity

UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:

Watt

ISSN:

0340-5443

Additional Information. Not used in RCUK Gateway to Research.:

The original publication is available at www.springerlink.com