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Initial levels of maternally derived antibodies predict persistence time in offspring circulation

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Abstract

Vertebrate mothers transmit antibodies to offspring that provide humoral immunity early in life. The duration of protection provided by maternal antibodies varies considerably among species and has not been widely examined in birds. Determination of the length of maternal protection can be a useful predictor of when young are most likely to be susceptible to infection. The duration of maternal antibody protection was determined in Japanese Quail (Coturnix japonica) by immunizing females with keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) and then collecting blood samples from offspring. Maternal antibodies remained detectable in offspring circulation for an average of 14 days (range 3–28). The duration of persistence was predicted by antibody levels as measured in maternal circulation, within egg yolks, or measured in offspring shortly after hatch. Thus, the primary benefit to offspring of high concentrations of maternal antibodies is likely to be an extended period of maternal protection during early growth and development.

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Acknowledgments

Funding was provided by National Science Foundation graduate research fellowship, Indiana Academy of Sciences, Center for the Integrative Study of Animal Behavior at Indiana University, and Indiana University Department of Biology. Cathleen Drilling and Brenda Hoover provided invaluable Quail care assistance, Greg Demas generously provided access to ELISA equipment, Rod Suthers provided space for housing Quail, and Ellen Ketterson, Britt Heidinger and Joel McGlothlin provided constructive comments on previous versions of the manuscript. All research was approved by the Indiana University-Bloomington Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee and complied with all federal (United States), state, and local laws.

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  1. Jennifer L. Grindstaff

    Present address: Department of Zoology, Oklahoma State University, 501 Life Sciences West, Stillwater, OK, 74078, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, Center for the Integrative Study of Animal Behavior, Indiana University, 1001 E. Third Street, Bloomington, IN, 47405, USA

    Jennifer L. Grindstaff

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  1. Jennifer L. Grindstaff
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Correspondence to Jennifer L. Grindstaff.

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Communicated by C. G. Guglielmo.

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Grindstaff, J.L. Initial levels of maternally derived antibodies predict persistence time in offspring circulation. J Ornithol 151, 423–428 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10336-009-0472-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10336-009-0472-5

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