The #1 source for news about monkeys and apes

[Mat Honan <mhonan AT earthlink.net>]

Study: Promiscuous monkeys have stronger immune systems

Friday, November 10, 2000
©2000 Associated Press

URL:
http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2000/11/10/national1728EST0672.DTL&nl=fix


(11-10) 14:28 PST CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (AP) -- Promiscuous species of
monkeys appear to have stronger immune systems than less-active ones,
researchers say.

``The most sexually active species of primates may have evolved elevated
immune systems as a defense mechanism against disease,'' said Charles Nunn,
a University of Virginia biology researcher who led the study, published in
the latest issue of the journal Science.

Nunn and colleagues studied 20 years of data on 41 primate species from zoos
around the world. They found that the most promiscuous have high levels of
basal white blood cells, the body's first defense against infection.
Monogamous species, like the white-handed gibbon or Titi monkey, have lower
levels.

Other risk factors for disease -- such as crowded living conditions or
contact with other germs -- had little effect on immune response, said
co-author John Gittleman, a biology professor.

Humans have white blood cell counts similar to those in primarily monogamous
species, the researchers said.

Jeffrey Frelinger, a professor of microbiology and immunology at the
University of North Carolina, said the correlation between promiscuity and
higher white blood cell counts is interesting, but he cautioned that the
study ``doesn't disentangle causes and effects.''

He also noted that the study looks at total white cells but doesn't examine
their ability to fight infection.