Chronic exposure to environmental stressors enhances production of natural and specific antibodies in rats

• Published in: Journal of experimental zoology. Part A, Ecological and integrative physiology Vol. 329; no. 10; p. 536
• Main Authors: Cuervo, Pablo Fernando, Beldomenico, Pablo Martín, Sánchez, Amorina, Pietrobon, Elisa, Valdez, Susana Ruth, Racca, Andrea Laura
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.12.2018
• Subjects: food restriction; wistar rats; humoral defenses; social conflict; Rattus norvegicus

Although the immunosuppressive effect of chronic stress has been established, a stress response that downregulates the whole immune system does not make biological sense, especially if an animal has to endure difficult times in which there is also increased infection risk. At high animal densities,...