Genetic and Dietary Influences on Resource Allocation towards Reproduction in mice, Mus Musculus

Abstract

Physiological processes are constrained by an individual’s ability to consume and metabolize resources in the environment. This energetic constraint often results in the prioritization of certain processes over others. Immune defense and reproduction are two energetically costly processes that lead to reciprocal trade-offs; as one process is prioritized the other is neglected. To better understand this relationship, male and female mice (Mus musculus) with genetically predisposed immune dysfunctions were studied in this experiment. The mice were either Atg16L1 T316A heterozygotes, Atg16L1 T316A homozygotes or NOD2 deficient. These genetic knockouts are of particular interest in the understanding and study of Crohn’s disease, as Atg16L1 and NOD2 play an important role in an individuals’ susceptibility to the disease. Reproductive hormone concentrations and organ weights were measured to explore how resources were allocated towards reproduction. The results from this study indicate that genotype and pregnancy state can influence growth rates and that males and females prioritize reproductive elements differently. These findings add to the growing body of research on physiological trade-offs between immunity and reproduction and suggest that gender plays a unique role in resource allocation towards reproduction.