Immunocompetence and high metabolic rates enhance overwinter survival in the root vole, Microtus oeconomus.

ABSTRACT: Despite its presumed significance, the association between immune defence, energy expenditures and overwinter survival is rarely studied. We analysed individual variation in immunocompetence quantified as neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (N/L), total white blood cells (WBC) and natural antibody levels, along with resting (RMR) and peak metabolic rates (PMR) and mortality during three consecutive winter seasons in a natural population of the root vole, Microtus oeconomus. In early winter, WBC count was negatively correlated with RMR, whereas N/L ratio was negatively correlated with swim-elicited PMR. We suggest that while the first correlation reflected the trade-off between energy allocation in immunocompetence and other metabolically demanding processes, the latter correlation stemmed from

SUBMITTER: Ksiazek A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4298183 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature