Metabolic acclimation to warming links unexpected immune activation and sexual dimorphism attenuation in Xenopus tropicalis.

Abstract

Maintaining a dynamic balance among various life-history traits is crucial for survival in a warming world, yet the underlying mechanisms remain enigmatic. In this study, we employed the western clawed frog (Xenopus tropicalis) as a model and conducted a long-tern experiment from zygotes to adult stage. We find that even within the previously considered normal temperature range, a 5 °C increase in ambient temperature can establish a new metabolic state, resulting in elevated oxidative stress and a shift in energy allocation towards immune defense at the expense of sexual development. This conceptual framework of temperature-dependent trade-off strategy suggests that, while some studies observed that warm temperature reduces the risk of infection, it is important to note that this change may present challenges in the form of accelerated aging and reduced fertility, especially in ectotherms. These results not only indicate a far more complex adaptive response to future climate change than previously anticipated, but also provide a concise method for constructing animal models to explore diseases related to homeostatic disorders.