Maternal androgens in dominant meerkats (Suricata suricatta) reduce
juvenile offspring health and survivorship
Abstract
1. In oviparous vertebrates, maternal androgens can alter offspring
immune function, particularly early in development, but the potential
for negative health effects of maternal androgens in mammals remains
unclear. 2. We investigated the relation between maternal androgens,
particularly in late gestation, and offspring health in the meerkat
(Suricata suricatta) by comparing offspring from (a) normative dominant
and subordinate matrilines, whose dams naturally express high versus
lower circulating androgen concentrations, respectively, and (b)
normative dominant and antiandrogen-treated dominant matrilines, whose
dams’ androgen function was intact versus blocked owing to experimental
antagonism of the latter’s androgen receptors (using Flutamide©). Foetal
offspring thus experienced three different endocrine environments
(‘high,’ ‘lower,’ ‘blocked’ androgens) late in prenatal development. We
assessed parasitism, immune function, steroid concentrations and
survivorship in these three offspring groups, both during juvenility and
early adulthood. 3. The juvenile offspring of subordinate control and
dominant treated dams generally had lower intensities of parasite
infections and greater immune function than did their peers from
dominant control dams – patterns not found in adult offspring, nor in
relation to the offspring’s concurrent hormone concentrations.
Survivorship to adulthood was greatest in the progeny of treated dams.
4. Descendants of dominant female meerkats – those in the ‘high’
prenatal androgen category – suffered increased parasitism and
decreased immunocompetence as juveniles, as well as reduced survivorship
relative to antiandrogen-exposed peers, providing evidence in mammals
that maternal androgens can negatively impact offspring health and
survival. These intergenerational, androgen-mediated, health effects
represent early costs imposed by female intrasexual competition and its
associated selection pressures.