Froy, H, Sparks, AM orcid.org/0000-0002-7697-4632, Watt, K et al. (6 more authors) (2019) Senescence in immunity against helminth parasites predicts adult mortality in a wild mammal. Science, 365 (6459). pp. 1296-1298. ISSN 0036-8075
Abstract
Our understanding of the deterioration in immune function in old age-immunosenescence- derives principally from studies of modern human populations and laboratory animals. The generality and significance of this process for systems experiencing complex, natural infections and environmental challenges are unknown. Here, we show that late-life declines in an important immune marker of resistance to helminth parasites in wild Soay sheep predict overwinter mortality. We found senescence in circulating antibody levels against a highly prevalent nematode worm, which was associated with reduced adult survival probability, independent of changes in body weight. These findings establish a role for immunosenescence in the ecology and evolution of natural populations.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | Copyright © 2019 The Authors, some rights reserved; exclusive licensee American Association for the Advancement of Science. No claim to original U.S. Government Works http://www.sciencemag.org/about/science-licenses-journal-article-reuse This is an article distributed under the terms of the Science Journals Default License. |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Leeds |
Academic Units: | The University of Leeds > Faculty of Biological Sciences (Leeds) > School of Biology (Leeds) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Publications |
Date Deposited: | 29 Oct 2019 10:03 |
Last Modified: | 25 Jun 2023 22:02 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | American Association for the Advancement of Science |
Identification Number: | 10.1126/science.aaw5822 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:152705 |