Energetic reserves, leptin and testosterone: a refinement of the immunocompetence handicap hypothesis.

ABSTRACT: The immunocompetence handicap hypothesis (ICHH) assumes that testosterone (T), required for the expression of sexual traits, can also incur a cost due to its immunosuppressive properties. However, T-dependent immunosuppression could also arise as an indirect consequence of energy reallocation from the immune system to other metabolic demands. Leptin is mostly produced in lipogenic tissues and its circulating level is positively correlated with the amount of lipid reserves. Leptin also has an important role as immunoenhancer and we suggest that this hormone could play a role as a mediator of the immunosuppressive effect of testosterone. In particular, we propose that only the individuals able to maintain large lipid reserves (with high leptin levels), while sustaining high testosterone leve

SUBMITTER: Alonso-Alvarez C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2464690 | biostudies-literature | 2007 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature