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Maternal immunoglobulin concentration in Collared Flycatcher (Ficedula albicollis) eggs in relation to parental quality and laying order

  1. R. HARGITAI1,*,
  2. J. PRECHL2,
  3. J. TÖRÖK1

Article first published online: 25 JUL 2006

DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2435.2006.01171.x

Issue

Functional Ecology

Functional Ecology

Volume 20, Issue 5, pages 829–838, October 2006

Additional Information

How to Cite

HARGITAI, R., PRECHL, J. and TÖRÖK, J. (2006), Maternal immunoglobulin concentration in Collared Flycatcher (Ficedula albicollis) eggs in relation to parental quality and laying order. Functional Ecology, 20: 829–838. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2435.2006.01171.x

Author Information

  1. 1

    Behavioural Ecology Group, Department of Systematic Zoology and Ecology, Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány P. sétány 1/C, H-1117 Budapest, Hungary, and

  2. 2

    Immunology Research Group, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Pázmány P. sétány 1/C, H-1117 Budapest, Hungary

* †Author to whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: harrita@freemail.hu

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 25 JUL 2006
  2. Article first published online: 25 JUL 2006
  3. Received 21 February 2006; revised 11 June 2006; accepted 13 June 2006Editor: Kevin McGraw

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Keywords:

  • Antibody transmission;
  • brood survival strategy;
  • egg quality;
  • maternal effects;
  • passive immunity

Summary

  • 1
    The immune system of newly hatched birds is relatively immature; therefore pathogens can be particularly virulent. Females transfer passive immunity in terms of immunoglobulins to the eggs to protect their young against infections in the crucial early life stages.
  • 2
    As transmission of antibodies is likely to be nutritionally costly, mothers are expected to allocate these components differentially to eggs according to their own condition, the quality of their mate or the laying order of eggs.
  • 3
    We found that in Collared Flycatchers (Ficedula albicollis), yolk antibody levels positively correlated with female body condition, but showed no relationship with maternal age or body size. Furthermore, females with higher plasma heterophil : lymphocyte ratio and heterophil count, which may indicate higher level of stress, deposited lower amount of immunoglobulins to their eggs. These results suggest that females of better physiological condition were able to invest more immunoglobulins to their eggs.
  • 4
    Neither the plumage characteristics, nor the age of the male parent was related to yolk antibody concentration, and thus no evidence for differential allocation of antibodies in relation to male quality or attractiveness could be detected.
  • 5
    Last-laid eggs contained higher yolk immunoglobulin concentration than earlier-laid eggs within a clutch. This pattern could be interpreted as a way to improve the survival probability of the disadvantaged last-hatching nestling.
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