Comparison of Immune Structure and Function of Nestling and Adult Tree Swallows

Abstract

<p>Immature individuals are generally more susceptible to infection and disease than adults. Study of humans and domesticated animals suggest that the immune system mediates this age-related pattern. Despite the rapid growth of ecological immunology in the last few decades, we still know very little about age-related patterns of immunity of organisms in their natural environments. In this study we compared several aspects of immune structure and function between free-living nestling and adult tree swallows (<em>Tachycineta bicolor</em>). We measured several components of both the innate and acquired arms of the immune system and predicted that nestlings would have reduced levels when compared with adults.</p>