The effect of social environment on the immune response of female common voles in matriarchal laboratory groups.

ABSTRACT

We used the hemagglutination test to investigate differences in the specific immune response to sheep red blood cells (SRBC) of female common voles living in matriarchal groups. The applied test proved to be a useful tool for studying the effect of the social environment on the immune response in small mammals. The required blood sampling method did not affect reproductive traits. Young female common voles showed a higher immune response than their mothers, which could have been caused by their age and/or by the reproductive and social dominance of their mothers. In non-breeding groups, the lower immune response of mothers could be attributed to their increased activity in advertising their dominance thus leading to an energy reallocation with consequent immunosuppression. Social stress, caused by crowded conditions, can lower the immune response and the growth of young females, which cannot leave the dams' proximity. The results are discussed regarding their relevance to the population regulation of the common vole and the spread of diseases to humans.