Effects of exogenous elevation of corticosterone on immunity and the skin microbiome of eastern newts (Notophthalmus viridescens).
Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci
; 378(1882): 20220120, 2023 07 31.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-37305906
ABSTRACT
The amphibian chytrid fungus, Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal) threatens salamander biodiversity. The factors underlying Bsal susceptibility may include glucocorticoid hormones (GCs). The effects of GCs on immunity and disease susceptibility are well studied in mammals, but less is known in other groups, including salamanders. We used Notophthalmus viridescens (eastern newts) to test the hypothesis that GCs modulate salamander immunity. We first determined the dose required to elevate corticosterone (CORT; primary GC in amphibians) to physiologically relevant levels. We then measured immunity (neutrophil lymphocyte ratios, plasma bacterial killing ability (BKA), skin microbiome, splenocytes, melanomacrophage centres (MMCs)) and overall health in newts following treatment with CORT or an oil vehicle control. Treatments were repeated for a short (two treatments over 5 days) or long (18 treatments over 26 days) time period. Contrary to our predictions, most immune and health parameters were similar for CORT and oil-treated newts. Surprisingly, differences in BKA, skin microbiome and MMCs were observed between newts subjected to short- and long-term treatments, regardless of treatment type (CORT, oil vehicle). Taken together, CORT does not appear to be a major factor contributing to immunity in eastern newts, although more studies examining additional immune factors are necessary. This article is part of the theme issue 'Amphibian immunity stress, disease and ecoimmunology'.
Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Microbiota
/
Notophthalmus viridescens
Tipo de estudo:
Prognostic_studies
Limite:
Animals
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci
Ano de publicação:
2023
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Estados Unidos