Androgens and innate immunity in rehabilitated semi-captive orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus morio) from Malaysian Borneo.
Despite the implications for the development of life-history traits, endocrine-immune trade-offs in apes are not well studied. This is due, in part, to difficulty in sampling wild primates, and lack of methods available for immune measures using samples collected noninvasively. Evidence for androgen-mediated immune trade-offs in orangutans is virtually absent, and very little is known regarding their pattern of adrenal development and production of adrenal androgens. To remedy both of these deficiencies, sera were collected from orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus morio) (N = 38) at the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, Sabah, Malaysia, during routine health screenings. Testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), and dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate (DHEA-S) were assayed, along with two measures of functional innate immunity. DHEA-S concentrations, but not DHEA, increased with age in this sample of 1-18 year old animals. DHEA concentrations were higher in animals with higher levels of serum bacteria killing ability, while DHEA-S and testosterone concentrations were higher in animals with reduced complement protein activity. Patterns of DHEA-S concentration in this sample are consistent with patterns of adrenarche observed in other apes. Results from this study suggest that in addition to testosterone, DHEA and DHEA-S may have potent effects on immunological activity in this species.
Department of Anthropology, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana.
Sean P
SP
Prall
Sabah Wildlife Department, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia.
Laurentius
L
Ambu
Sabah Wildlife Department, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia.
Senthilvel
S
Nathan
Sabah Wildlife Department, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia.
Sylvia
S
Alsisto
Sabah Wildlife Department, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia.
Diana
D
Ramirez
Department of Anthropology, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana.
Michael P
MP
Muehlenbein
D000367:Age Factors; D000728:Androgens / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology; D000818:Animals; D001770:Blood Bactericidal Activity; D003165:Complement System Proteins / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology; D019314:Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D008296:Malaysia; D011148:Pongo pygmaeus / Q000276:immunology*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology
D000728:Androgens; D013739:Testosterone; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone; D019314:Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate; D003165:Complement System Proteins
adrenarche; bacteria killing assay; dehydroepiandrosterone; hemolytic complement assay; innate immunity; orangutan; sepilok; testosterone