Meeting Abstract

S9.9  Tuesday, Jan. 6  Photoperiodic Regulation of Reproduction and Immunity PRENDERGAST, Brian J; University of Chicago prendergast@uchicago.edu

Research in our lab focuses on understanding the neuroendocrine and neuroimmunological mechanisms by which seasonally-breeding animals engage annual changes in the activity of the immune system. Of particular interest are the interactions between seasonal changes in the reproductive system and their causal role in seasonal changes in the immune system. Insights into these mechanisms stand to inform questions about trade-offs between reproduction and immunity that occur as animals engage seasonal phenotypic change. Recent and current research projects will be presented, including studies that examine the role of gonadal hormones on behavioral responses to infection and studies assessing the role of naturalistic changes in photoperiod on immune function in a laboratory setting.