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Social behaviour and susceptibility to infection in house mice (Mus musculus): effects of group size, aggressive behaviour and status-related hormonal responses prior to infection on resistance to Babesia microti

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 April 2009

C. J. Barnard ,
J. M. Behnke  and
J. Sewell
C. J. Barnard
Affiliation:
Behaviour and Ecology Research Group, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
J. M. Behnke
Affiliation:
Experimental Parasitology Research Group, Department of Life Science, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
J. Sewell
Affiliation:
Behaviour and Ecology Research Group, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK Experimental Parasitology Research Group, Department of Life Science, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
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Summary

Associations between social rank, immunodepression and resistance to Babesia microti infection within single-sex groups of male house mice suggest rank-dependent suites of response involving different hormonal and immune changes in relation to aggressive behaviour and group size prior to infection. Reduced resistance among high-ranking males was associated with increased serum testosterone and corticosterone concentration and reduced serum immunoglobulin, but was independent of group size. Among low-ranking males, hormonal changes were not associated with resistance to B. microti but changes in corticosterone concentration and measures of immunodepression increased with group size and aggressive behaviour. The results concur with earlier findings suggesting differences between high- and low-ranking mice in their physiological responses to social experience and consequently reduced resistance to B. microti infection among high-ranking individuals.

Keywords

house mouseMus musculusBabesia microtisocial statusaggressiongroup sizeimmunitytestosteronecorticosterone
Type
Research Article
Information
Parasitology , Volume 108 , Issue 5 , June 1994 , pp. 487 - 496
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1994

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