| No evidence for melatonin-linked immunoenhancement over the annual cycle of an avian species. | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 19234709 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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The winter immunoenhancement hypothesis associates long nights and increased exposure to melatonin with enhanced immune function in winter when resource availability is low and the chances of becoming ill are high. Thus, increased exposure to melatonin in the winter could be adaptive for species facing difficult winter conditions. This idea has found some support in studies of resident mammals. In birds, the link between day length and melatonin over the annual cycle is weaker, and contributions of melatonin to seasonal timing are unclear. Furthermore, many species, especially migrants, do not experience the most difficult conditions of their annual cycle in winter. In this study, we tested whether the winter immunoenhancement hypothesis holds in an avian species, the red knot Calidris canutus. We found that melatonin duration and amplitude varied significantly over the annual cycle with the highest values occurring in winter. However, peaks did not correspond to the winter solstice or with annual variation in immune function. Our findings do not support the winter immunoenhancement hypothesis in knots and question whether the idea that immune function should be bolstered in winter can be generalized to systems where winter is not the most difficult time of the year. |
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Authors:
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Deborah M Buehler; Anita Koolhaas; Thomas J Van't Hof; Ingrid Schwabl; Anne Dekinga; Theunis Piersma; B Irene Tieleman |
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Publication Detail:
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Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't Date: 2009-02-21 |
Journal Detail:
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Title: Journal of comparative physiology. A, Neuroethology, sensory, neural, and behavioral physiology Volume: 195 ISSN: 1432-1351 ISO Abbreviation: J. Comp. Physiol. A Neuroethol. Sens. Neural. Behav. Physiol. Publication Date: 2009 May |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 2009-04-28 Completed Date: 2009-05-18 Revised Date: - |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 101141792 Medline TA: J Comp Physiol A Neuroethol Sens Neural Behav Physiol Country: Germany |
Other Details:
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Languages: eng Pagination: 445-51 Citation Subset: IM |
Affiliation:
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Animal Ecology Group, Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Studies, University of Groningen, P.O. Box 14, 9750 AA, Haren, The Netherlands. d.m.buehler@rug.nl |
Export Citation:
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| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
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Animals Blood Bactericidal Activity Candida albicans Charadriiformes / immunology, physiology* Circadian Rhythm / physiology* Feathers / physiology Melatonin / blood, physiology* Phagocytosis Photoperiod* Seasons* Staphylococcus aureus |
| Chemical | |
Reg. No./Substance:
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73-31-4/Melatonin |
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
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