State-dependent physiological maintenance in a long-lived ectotherm, the painted turtle (Chrysemys picta)

摘要: Energy allocation among somatic maintenance, reproduction and growth varies not only species, but individuals according to states such as age, sex season. Little research has been conducted on the (physiological) maintenance of long-lived organisms, particularly ectotherms reptiles. In this study, we examined differences age- season-related variation in immune function DNA repair efficiency a reptile, painted turtle (Chrysemys picta). Immune components tended be depressed during hibernation, winter, compared with autumn or spring. Increased heterophil count hibernation provided support for winter immunoenhancement. juvenile adult turtles, found little evidence senescence physiological consistent predictions organisms. Among components, swelling response phytohemagglutinin (PHA) control injection increased whereas basophil decreased age. Hatchling turtles had reduced counts natural antibodies, indicative an immature system, demonstrated higher than older turtles. Reproductively mature lymphocytes spring, presumably driven by trade-off between reproduction. Sex influence maintenance. These results suggest that are modulated differentially individual state highlight need more multiple animals variable states.