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Leucocyte profiles and H/L ratios in chicks of Red-tailed Tropicbirds reflect the ontogeny of the immune system

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Abstract

Immune defence is fundamentally important for the survival prospects of young animals. While innate immunity offers initial protection from a variety of pathogens, acquired immunity responds more specifically to pathogens, but is considered to be more costly and to respond slower. Moreover, the acquired immunity is not yet fully developed in neonatal chicks. Little is known about the ontogeny of the immune system of wild birds. Long-lived seabirds, with their slow chick development, are good models to investigate how young birds invest in both arms of their immune system. We determined leucocyte profiles and heterophil to lymphocyte (H/L) ratios of Red-tailed Tropicbirds (Phaeton rubricauda westralis) on Christmas Island, Indian Ocean. Young chicks (N = 10) had significantly higher H/L ratios than older chicks (N = 19), while adults (N = 47) showed intermediate values and did not differ from either chick age class. High H/L ratios in young chicks were caused by high initial numbers of heterophils per 10,000 erythrocytes that declined with age. In contrast, the number of lymphocytes per 10,000 erythrocytes was similar for young and older chicks. These data suggest that young chicks invested heavily in innate immunity to protect themselves from pathogens, while investment into acquired immunity became more important in older chicks with a functional acquired immune response. Body condition did not have a significant influence on any leucocyte parameter.

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Acknowledgments

This study was conducted within the framework of the Christmas Island Seabird Project (http://www.seabirdproject.cx) which is supported by the University of Hamburg, Christmas Island Tourist Association, Island Explorer Holidays, Christmas Island Territory Week Committee and Christmas Island Care. Austasian Airlines and Globetrotter Hamburg provided in-kind support. Parks Australia North Christmas Island and Darwin issued all necessary permits. We would like to thank J. Navarro, L. Braun, M. van der Stap for their help in the field, M. Helmer for help with staining, Parks Christmas Island for accommodation and logistical support, and Prof. M. Spindler, IPÖ, Kiel, for providing lab space and equipment. The manuscript benefited from the comments of J. Lodde Greives and four anonymous referees. All aspects of the study were carried out under license and in accordance with the principles and guidelines of the German and Australian laws on animal welfare.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, Vogelwarte Radolfzell, Schlossallee 2, 78315, Radolfzell, Germany

    Nina Dehnhard & Petra Quillfeldt

  2. Abt. Animal Ecology and Conservation, Biozentrum Grindel, Universität Hamburg, Martin-Luther-King Platz 3, 20146, Hamburg, Germany

    Janos C. Hennicke

  3. Centre d’Etudes Biologiques de Chizé, CNRS UPR 1934, 79360, Villiers-en-Bois, France

    Janos C. Hennicke

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  1. Nina Dehnhard
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Correspondence to Nina Dehnhard.

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Communicated by G. Heldmaier.

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Dehnhard, N., Quillfeldt, P. & Hennicke, J.C. Leucocyte profiles and H/L ratios in chicks of Red-tailed Tropicbirds reflect the ontogeny of the immune system. J Comp Physiol B 181, 641–648 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00360-010-0548-9

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