Maternally derived anti-helminth antibodies predict offspring survival in a wild mammal.

ABSTRACT: The transfer of antibodies from mother to offspring provides crucial protection against infection to offspring during early life in humans and domestic and laboratory animals. However, few studies have tested the consequences of variation in maternal antibody transfer for offspring fitness in the wild. Further, separating the immunoprotective effects of antibodies from their association with nutritional resources provided by mothers is difficult. Here, we measured plasma levels of total and parasite-specific antibodies in neonatal (less than 10 days old) wild Soay sheep over 25 years to quantify variation in maternal antibody transfer and test its association with offspring survival. Maternal antibody transfer was predicted by maternal age and previous antibody responses, and was consisten

SUBMITTER: Sparks AM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7739501 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature