Paul Schmid-Hempel
- Published in print:
- 2021
- Published Online:
- September 2021
- ISBN:
- 9780198832140
- eISBN:
- 9780191870873
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/oso/9780198832140.003.0006
- Subject:
- Biology, Disease Ecology / Epidemiology, Evolutionary Biology / Genetics
The sexes (male, female) differ in parasite load and immune defences. In general, males are more frequently infected and often have lower defences. The differences are one consequence of sexual ...
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The sexes (male, female) differ in parasite load and immune defences. In general, males are more frequently infected and often have lower defences. The differences are one consequence of sexual selection, where females invest more in maintenance. Females can choose males based on signs (e.g. ornaments) of higher resistance to parasites. Several theoretical scenarios can explain part of this variation. Advantages also result from genetic heterozygosity. Sex-specific hormones affect immune defences in many ways.Less
The sexes (male, female) differ in parasite load and immune defences. In general, males are more frequently infected and often have lower defences. The differences are one consequence of sexual selection, where females invest more in maintenance. Females can choose males based on signs (e.g. ornaments) of higher resistance to parasites. Several theoretical scenarios can explain part of this variation. Advantages also result from genetic heterozygosity. Sex-specific hormones affect immune defences in many ways.
