title: Splenic mass of masked shrews, Sorex cinereus, in relation to body mass, sex, age, day of the year, and bladder nematode, Liniscus (=Capillaria) maseri, infection.
abstract: The spleen is an important organ of vertebrates. Splenic mass can change in response to a variety of factors. We tested whether splenic mass of masked shrews, Sorex cinereus, was related to sex, age, time of the year, or intensity of bladder nematode (Liniscus [=Capillaria] maseri) infection, after controlling for host body mass. For females, body mass was a strong predictor of splenic mass. For males, splenic masses were greater later in the year and in more heavily infected males. The latter appeared to represent a threshold response wherein only the most heavily infected individuals had enlarged spleens.
authors.forename: Krystyna M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Cowan
authors.forename: Dave
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Shutler
authors.forename: Thomas B
authors.initials: TB
authors.lastname: Herman
authors.forename: Donald T
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: Stewart
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D049628:Body Size / Q000502:physiology; D002195:Capillaria / Q000502:physiology*; D017189:Enoplida Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D012621:Seasons; D012737:Sex Factors; D012788:Shrews / Q000469:parasitology*; D013154:Spleen / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000473:pathology; D013163:Splenomegaly / Q000209:etiology; D001743:Urinary Bladder / Q000469:parasitology