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Evaluation of the Influence of Multiple Paternity on the Immune Status of Syrian Hamster (Mesocricetus auratus, Rodentia, Cricetidae) Young

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Abstract

The effect of multiple paternity on the development of the humoral immune response in Syrian hamster pups was studied. The paternity type was found to be determined by ten microsatellite markers. Pups were immunized with T-dependent antigens (fissurella hemocyanin, KLH) at 33 days of age, with the level of specific antibodies (anti-KLH IgG) measured in blood samples at 5, 10, 20, and 25 days after immunization. As much as 24% of pups from multiple paternity broods and 25% from single paternity broods were revealed to develop no immune response. At the same time, in all pups that responded to immunization, the level of anti-KLH IgG significantly increased over time, starting with the 5th day after immunization. However, there were no significant differences in the concentration of anti-KLH IgG in the blood serum of pups derived from broods with multiple paternity or from litters obtained from one male. Therefore, our results fail to support the hypothesis that multiple paternity enhances the immunity of Syrian hamster pups.

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  1. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119071, Moscow, Russia

    E. V. Potashnikova, E. V. Kuznetsova, N. Yu. Feoktistova, N. A. Vasilieva & S. I. Meschersky

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Potashnikova, E.V., Kuznetsova, E.V., Feoktistova, N.Y. et al. Evaluation of the Influence of Multiple Paternity on the Immune Status of Syrian Hamster (Mesocricetus auratus, Rodentia, Cricetidae) Young. Biol Bull Russ Acad Sci 50, 2509–2516 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1134/S1062359023090303

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