title: A review of complementary mechanisms which protect the developing marsupial pouch young.
abstract: Marsupials are born without a functioning adaptive immune system, into a non-sterile environment where they continue to develop. This review examines the extent of exposure of pouch young to microorganisms and describes the protective mechanisms that are complementary to adaptive immunity in the developing young. Complementary protective mechanisms include the role of the innate immune system and maternal protection strategies, such as immune compounds in milk, prenatal transfer of immunoglobulins, antimicrobial compounds secreted in the pouch, and chemical or mechanical cleaning of the pouch and pouch young.
authors.affiliation: Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia. m.edwards@anu.edu.au
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Edwards
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Hinds
authors.forename: E M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Deane
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Deakin
mesh_terms: D056704:Adaptive Immunity; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn / Q000254:growth & development / Q000276:immunology; D003126:Colostrum / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology; D007107:Immune System / Q000254:growth & development*; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000276:immunology; D008394:Marsupialia / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000276:immunology*; D008892:Milk / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D007136:Immunoglobulins