Research News
Broadnosed pipefish in an aquarium. Photo: Uli Kunz, www.kunzgalerie.de
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What Fathers Contribute
Strengthening the immune system prior to birth no longer is a matter involving only mothers: For the first time, on the model of the broadnosed pipefish, researchers from the GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, have demonstrated that fathers, too, have an influence on the immune system of their offspring. In vertebrates, the mother passes on antibodies to its offspring via the eggs or the placenta – at least in most cases, as we now know. In the case of the broadnosed pipefish, however, the male breeds the embryos inside a bag, where the offspring is connected with the father.
"It is fascinating, that the evolution has brought forth completely independent yet similar solutions in humans and fish respectively, whereby the parents contribute towards their offspring's immune system", says Dr Olivia Roth from the GEOMAR. For their study, the scientists have investigated 18 pipefish families and have vaccinated either both partners, only the mothers, only the fathers or neither parent prior to the breeding phase. Subsequent analyses revealed that, for specific reactions of the immune system, only the father provided the crucial factor, whereas for others, the combination of paternal and maternal contributions proved effective.
