Prenatal and postnatal parental effects on immunity and growth in ‘lactating’ pigeons

摘要: Summary 1. Parental effects can have profound consequences on offspring phenotype. Still, little is known about the relative influence of prenatal versus postnatal parental parasite exposure parents traits. 2. In this study, we investigated respective role a and immune challenge parent feral pigeons (Columba livia) humoral immunity, growth survival. We used cross-fostering design antigen injections in biological foster parents. Feral are particularly suitable for studying challenges because they affect phenotype their young through transmission antibodies egg ‘crop milk’, substance produced crop both parents. 3. Results show that with keyhole limpet haemocyanin (KLH) decreased response against KLH nestlings injected at 14 days age. In contrast, enhanced 1-year-old juveniles exposed to second injection, but only when these had received first injection 3 days age. 4. No effect nestling juvenile another (NDV) was observed, indicating changes responses were specific addition this, an interaction fledging body mass, no survival. 5. This study shows pre- antigens has contrasted growth. Moreover, it timing early important response. 6. This thus suggests distinct roles shaping different time scales calls further investigations potential adaptive combined effects. pigeon milk positive immunity could potentially similar as mammalian milk.