« Previous AbstractThe toxic potential of a fourth-generation E-cigarette on human lung cell lines and tissue explants    Next Abstract"Preliminary isolation of male-inhibitory pheromone of the spiderSchizocosa ocreata (Araneae, Lycosidae)" »

Proc Biol Sci

Title:		The role of juvenile hormone in immune function and pheromone production trade-offs: a test of the immunocompetence handicap principle
Author(s):		Rantala MJ; Vainikka A; Kortet R;
Address:		"Department of Biology, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA. marrant@cc.jyu.fi"
Journal Title:		Proc Biol Sci
Year:		2003
Volume:		270
Issue:		1530
Page Number:		2257 - 2261
DOI:		10.1098/rspb.2003.2472
ISSN/ISBN:		0962-8452 (Print) 1471-2954 (Electronic) 0962-8452 (Linking)
Abstract:		"The immunocompetence handicap hypothesis postulates that secondary sexual traits are honest signals of mate quality because the hormones (e.g. testosterone) needed to develop secondary sexual traits have immunosuppressive effects. The best support for predictions arising from the immunocompetence handicap hypothesis so far comes from studies of insects, although they lack male-specific hormones such as testosterone. In our previous studies, we found that female mealworm beetles prefer pheromones of immunocompetent males. Here, we tested how juvenile hormone (JH) affects male investment in secondary sexual characteristics and immune functions in the mealworm beetle, Tenebrio molitor. We injected male mealworm beetles with JH (type III) and found that injection increased the attractiveness of male pheromones but simultaneously suppressed immune functions (phenoloxidase activity and encapsulation). Our results suggest that JH, which is involved in the control of reproduction and morphogenesis, also plays a central role in the regulation of a trade-off between the immune system and sexual advertisement in insects. Thus, the results reflect a general mechanism by which the immunocompetence handicap hypothesis may work in insects"
Keywords:		Animals Female Immunocompetence/*immunology Juvenile Hormones/*immunology/*physiology Male Monophenol Monooxygenase/physiology Muramidase/physiology Pheromones/*physiology *Sex Characteristics Tenebrio/*immunology/*physiology;
Notes:		"MedlineRantala, Markus J Vainikka, Anssi Kortet, Raine eng Comparative Study Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't England 2003/11/14 Proc Biol Sci. 2003 Nov 7; 270(1530):2257-61. doi: 10.1098/rspb.2003.2472"