Host gender in parasitic infections of mammals: an evaluation of the female host supremacy paradigm.
A review of current literature on mammalian hosts' sexual dimorphism (SD) in parasitic infections revealed that (1) it is a scarcely and superficially studied biological phenomenon of considerable significance for individual health, behavior, and lifestyles and for the evolution of species; (2) there are many notable exceptions to the rule of a favorable female bias in susceptibility to infection; (3) a complex network of molecular and cellular reactions connecting the host's immuno-neuroendocrine systems with those of the parasite is responsible for the host-parasite relationship rather than just an adaptive immune response and sex hormones; (4) a lack of gender-specific immune profiles in response to different infections; (5) the direct effects of the host hormones on parasite physiology may significantly contribute to SD in parasitism; and (6) the need to enrich the reductionist approach to complex biological issues, like SD, with more penetrating approaches to the study of cause-effect relationships, i.e., network theory. The review concludes by advising against generalization regarding SD and parasitism and by pointing to some of the most promising lines of research.
Morales-Montor
J
J
Departamento de Inmunología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, AP 70228, El Alto, Mexico DF 04510, Mexico.
Chavarria
A
A
De León
M A
MA
Del Castillo
L I
LI
Escobedo
E G
EG
Sánchez
E N
EN
Vargas
J A
JA
Hernández-Flores
M
M
Romo-González
T
T
Larralde
C
C
D000818:Animals; D003551:Cysticercosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D004703:Endocrine System / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000502:physiology; D006790:Host-Parasite Interactions; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008322:Mammals / Q000469:parasitology*; D009490:Neurosecretory Systems / Q000502:physiology; D010272:Parasitic Diseases / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D012727:Sex Characteristics
D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones