Family matters: maternal and litter-size effects on immune parameters in young laboratory rats

Brain, Behavior, and Immunity
Geraldine PragerHeiko G Rödel

Abstract

A functional immune system is important for the survival of mammalian young, particularly at weaning when they lose the immunological support provided by the mother's colostrum and milk. In altricial mammals, litter size and maternal characteristics are important components of an animal's early environment, which affect postnatal growth and development. In a study of unculled litters of Long-Evans laboratory rats (Rattus norvegicus), we asked whether such parameters are also associated with the immune status of the young shortly before weaning. On postnatal day 17, we assessed numbers of several leukocyte and lymphocyte subsets, the activity of the complement system, and immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentrations in the serum. Averaging the values of all pups per litter, we found negative correlations between litter size and lymphocyte counts, complement system activity and IgG concentration. Maternal effects were seen in the positive correlation between maternal postpartum body mass and granulocyte and monocyte counts. In addition, lymphocyte and monocyte counts as well as complement activity were lower for the young of multiparous than of primiparous mothers. This suggests a trend towards a better developed immune system in such o...Continue Reading

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Citations

Apr 18, 2012·PLoS Biology·Simon A Babayan, David S Schneider
Aug 26, 2011·Developmental Psychobiology·Jana A Eccard, Heiko G Rödel
Dec 30, 2014·ILAR Journal·Timo Nevalainen
Jun 23, 2016·Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews·Saulo G TractenbergRodrigo Grassi-Oliveira
Jul 23, 2021·Journal of Experimental Zoology. Part A, Ecological and Integrative Physiology·Alena S SobolevaSergey V Naidenko

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