Transgenerational Effects Of Mycoplasma Gallisepticum Infection In Eastern Bluebirds (Sialia Sialis)
Date of Award
1-1-2020
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
M.S. in Biological Science
First Advisor
Susan L. Balenger
Second Advisor
Peter Zee
Third Advisor
Christopher J. Leary
School
University of Mississippi
Relational Format
dissertation/thesis
Abstract
Parents can transmit pathogens to their offspring. Neonatal hosts are particularly vulnerable to infectious diseases, as they have immature adaptive immune systems at birth. In this study, I examine parental transmission of a combacterial pathogen Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) in wild eastern bluebirds (Sialia sialis) and its impact on nestling growth. By diagnosing infections in all family members, I confirmed that eastern bluebird nestlings can contract MG infections, and that infection was more comin older nestlings compared to adults and neonates. Furthermore, unlike in other avian hosts, MG infection does not significantly impact nestling body condition. In response to infection, eastern bluebird mothers synthesize and transfer MG-specific antibodies to eggs. Using serology testing, I examined antibody levels at multiple time points throughout the nestling period and developed an immune profile to calculate the half-life of maternal antibodies and evaluate the development of nestling immunity. I found that maternal antibodies degrade quickly post-hatching, with a calculated half-life of 3.4 days. Intrinsic antibody production is estimated to begin 8-11 days post-hatching. Mothers who possessed MG antibodies in circulation transmitted them to all of their nestlings, and those nestlings were in better body condition and had a higher pre-fledging body mass compared to those lacking the antibody. Pre-fledging mass has been linked to first year survival and reproductive success in many other songbird species. Thus, my results suggest that while short in duration, maternal antibodies may have lasting impacts on offspring post-fledging success. Overall, my study provides insight into parent-offspring disease transmission and evaluates neonatal host responses in a naturally-occurring host-pathogen system.
Recommended Citation
Amonett, Sarah Danielle, "Transgenerational Effects Of Mycoplasma Gallisepticum Infection In Eastern Bluebirds (Sialia Sialis)" (2020). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 1905.
https://egrove.olemiss.edu/etd/1905