Stress and immunity

Historically, stressors were thought to be immunosuppressive. Emerging evidence is showing that the picture is more complicated; in some situations, immune defenses may be redistributed to protect animals from potential infections such as predation events or aggressive interactions.  We are exploring these possibilities by assessing the effects of stressors on the immune system of rodents and bird in ecologically relevant contexts.

Relevant publications

Martin, LB, BC Trainor, MS Finy, and RJ Nelson. 2007. HPA activity and neotic and anxiety-like behavior vary among Peromyscus species. General and Comparative Endocrinology 141: 342-350.

Martin, LB, J Gilliam, P Han, KA Lee, and M Wikelski. 2005. Corticosterone suppresses cutaneous immune function in temperate but not tropical House Sparrows, Passer domesticus. General and Comparative Endocrinology 140: 126-135

Berger, S, LB Martin, M Wikelski, LM Romero, EKV Kalko, MN Vitousek, and T. Rödl. 2005. Corticosterone suppresses immune activity in territorial Galápagos marine
iguanas during reproduction. Hormones and Behavior 47: 419-429

Martin, LB, ER Glasper, RJ Nelson, and AC DeVries. 2006. Prolonged separation delays wound healing in monogamous California mice, Peromyscus californicus, but not in polygynous white-footed mice, P. leucopus. Physiology and Behavior. 87: 836-841

Martin, LB, and DR Rubenstein. Stress hormones in tropical birds: patterns and future directions. Ornithologia Neotropical