How Insects Balance Reproductive Output and Immune Investment
Insects face the constant challenge of balancing energy allocation between reproduction and immune responses, both of which are highly energy-demanding processes. Immune challenges frequently result in decreased fecundity, reduced egg viability, and delayed ovarian development. Conversely, heightene...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2025-03-01
|
| Series: | Insects |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/16/3/311 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1850280516700340224 |
|---|---|
| author | Jimena Leyria Leonardo L. Fruttero Pedro A. Paglione Lilián E. Canavoso |
| author_facet | Jimena Leyria Leonardo L. Fruttero Pedro A. Paglione Lilián E. Canavoso |
| author_sort | Jimena Leyria |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Insects face the constant challenge of balancing energy allocation between reproduction and immune responses, both of which are highly energy-demanding processes. Immune challenges frequently result in decreased fecundity, reduced egg viability, and delayed ovarian development. Conversely, heightened reproductive activity often suppresses immune functions. This trade-off has profound ecological and evolutionary consequences, shaping insects’ survival, adaptation, and population dynamics. The intricate interplay between reproduction and immunity in insects is regulated by the neuroendocrine and endocrine systems, which orchestrate resource distribution alongside other biological processes. Key hormones, such as juvenile hormone and ecdysteroids, serve as central regulators, influencing both immune responses and reproductive activities. Additionally, macromolecules like vitellogenin and lipophorin, primarily known for their functions as yolk protein precursors and lipid carriers, play crucial roles in pathogen recognition and transgenerational immune priming. Advancements in molecular and omics tools have unveiled the complexity of these regulatory mechanisms, providing new insights into how insects dynamically allocate resources to optimize their fitness. This delicate balance underscores critical evolutionary strategies and the integration of physiological systems across species. This review synthesizes insights from life history theory, oogenesis, and immunity, offering new perspectives on the trade-offs between reproductive output and immune investment. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e656f64bf8a2491798075726a36153a1 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2075-4450 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Insects |
| spelling | doaj-art-e656f64bf8a2491798075726a36153a12025-08-20T01:48:41ZengMDPI AGInsects2075-44502025-03-0116331110.3390/insects16030311How Insects Balance Reproductive Output and Immune InvestmentJimena Leyria0Leonardo L. Fruttero1Pedro A. Paglione2Lilián E. Canavoso3Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba 5000, CP, ArgentinaDepartamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba 5000, CP, ArgentinaDepartamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba 5000, CP, ArgentinaDepartamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba 5000, CP, ArgentinaInsects face the constant challenge of balancing energy allocation between reproduction and immune responses, both of which are highly energy-demanding processes. Immune challenges frequently result in decreased fecundity, reduced egg viability, and delayed ovarian development. Conversely, heightened reproductive activity often suppresses immune functions. This trade-off has profound ecological and evolutionary consequences, shaping insects’ survival, adaptation, and population dynamics. The intricate interplay between reproduction and immunity in insects is regulated by the neuroendocrine and endocrine systems, which orchestrate resource distribution alongside other biological processes. Key hormones, such as juvenile hormone and ecdysteroids, serve as central regulators, influencing both immune responses and reproductive activities. Additionally, macromolecules like vitellogenin and lipophorin, primarily known for their functions as yolk protein precursors and lipid carriers, play crucial roles in pathogen recognition and transgenerational immune priming. Advancements in molecular and omics tools have unveiled the complexity of these regulatory mechanisms, providing new insights into how insects dynamically allocate resources to optimize their fitness. This delicate balance underscores critical evolutionary strategies and the integration of physiological systems across species. This review synthesizes insights from life history theory, oogenesis, and immunity, offering new perspectives on the trade-offs between reproductive output and immune investment.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/16/3/311insect reproductioninsect immune responseenergy-demanding processenergy allocationtrade-offneuroendocrine/endocrine regulation |
| spellingShingle | Jimena Leyria Leonardo L. Fruttero Pedro A. Paglione Lilián E. Canavoso How Insects Balance Reproductive Output and Immune Investment Insects insect reproduction insect immune response energy-demanding process energy allocation trade-off neuroendocrine/endocrine regulation |
| title | How Insects Balance Reproductive Output and Immune Investment |
| title_full | How Insects Balance Reproductive Output and Immune Investment |
| title_fullStr | How Insects Balance Reproductive Output and Immune Investment |
| title_full_unstemmed | How Insects Balance Reproductive Output and Immune Investment |
| title_short | How Insects Balance Reproductive Output and Immune Investment |
| title_sort | how insects balance reproductive output and immune investment |
| topic | insect reproduction insect immune response energy-demanding process energy allocation trade-off neuroendocrine/endocrine regulation |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/16/3/311 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT jimenaleyria howinsectsbalancereproductiveoutputandimmuneinvestment AT leonardolfruttero howinsectsbalancereproductiveoutputandimmuneinvestment AT pedroapaglione howinsectsbalancereproductiveoutputandimmuneinvestment AT lilianecanavoso howinsectsbalancereproductiveoutputandimmuneinvestment |