Reviewing the effects of food provisioning on wildlife immunity

Strandin, T., Babayan, S. A. and Forbes, K. M. (2018) Reviewing the effects of food provisioning on wildlife immunity. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 373(1745), 20170088. (doi: 10.1098/rstb.2017.0088) (PMID:29531143) (PMCID:PMC5882994)

Abstract

While urban expansion increasingly encroaches on natural habitats, many wildlife species capitalize on anthropogenic food resources, which have the potential to both positively and negatively influence their responses to infection. Here we examine how food availability and key nutrients have been reported to shape innate and adaptive immunity in wildlife by drawing from field-based studies, as well as captive and food restriction studies with wildlife species. Examples of food provisioning and key nutrients enhancing immune function were seen across the three study type distinctions, as were cases of trace metals and pharmaceuticals impairing the immunity of wildlife species. More generally, food provisioning in field studies tended to increase innate and adaptive responses to certain immune challenges, whereas patterns were less clear in captive studies. Mild food restriction often enhanced, whereas severe food restriction frequently impaired immunity. However, to enable stronger conclusions we stress a need for further research, especially field studies, and highlight the importance of integrating nutritional manipulation, immune challenge, and functional outcomes. Despite current gaps in research on this topic, modern high throughput molecular approaches are increasingly feasible for wildlife studies and offer great opportunities to better understand human influences on wildlife health.This article is part of the theme issue 'Anthropogenic resource subsidies and host-parasite dynamics in wildlife'.

• Item Type: Articles
• Keywords: Adaptive, ecoimmunology, food resources, innate, supplementation, wild immunology.
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Babayan, Dr Simon
• Authors: Strandin, T., Babayan, S. A., and Forbes, K. M.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine
• Journal Name: Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences
• Publisher: The Royal Society
• ISSN: 0962-8436
• ISSN (Online): 1471-2970
• Published Online: 12 March 2018
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2018 The Authors
• First Published: First published in Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences 373(1745):20170088
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher