Body height affects the strength of immune response in young men, but not young women

作者：Krams Indrikis A^*; Skrinda Ilona; Kecko Sanita; Moore Fhionna R; Krama Tatjana; Kaasik Ants; Meija Laila; Lietuvietis Vilnis; Rantala Markus J

来源：Scientific Reports, 2014, 4(1): 6223.

DOI：10.1038/srep06223

Body height and other body attributes of humans may be associated with a diverse range of social outcomes such as attractiveness to potential mates. Despite evidence that each parameter plays a role in mate choice, we have little understanding of the relative role of each, and relationships between indices of physical appearance and general health. In this study we tested relationships between immune function and body height of young men and women. In men, we report a non-linear relationship between antibody response to a hepatitis-B vaccine and body height, with a positive relationship up to a height of 185 cm, but an inverse relationship in taller men. We did not find any significant relationship between body height and immune function in women. Our results demonstrate the potential of vaccination research to reveal costly traits that govern evolution of mate choice in humans and the importance of trade-offs among these traits.

• 出版日期2014-8-28