The trade‐off between reproduction and self‐maintenance is a cornerstone of life history theory, yet its proximate underpinnings are elusive. Here, we used an artificial selection approach to create replicated lines of Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) that differ genetically in their reproductive investment. Whole transcriptome sequencing revealed that females from lines selected for high reproductive output show a consistent upregulation of genes associated with reproduction but a simultaneous downregulation of immune genes. Concordant phenotypic differences in immune function (i.e., specific antibody response against keyhole limpet hemocyanin) were observed between the selection lines, even in males who do not provide parental care. Our findings demonstrate the key role of obligate transcriptional constraints in the maintenance of life history variation. These constraints set fundamental limits to productivity and health in natural and domestic animal populations.

中文翻译：

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人工选择揭示了转录限制在维持生活史变异中的作用

繁殖与自我维持之间的权衡是生活史理论的基石，但其近乎根基却难以捉摸。在这里，我们使用人工选择方法来创建日本鹌鹑（Coturnix japonica）的复制品系）在生殖投资方面存在基因差异。全转录组测序表明，从高繁殖力的品系中选出的雌性显示出与繁殖相关的基因一致的上调，但免疫基因却同时下调。在选择系之间，即使在不提供父母照料的男性中，也观察到免疫功能的一致表型差异（即针对钥孔血蓝蛋白的特异性抗体反应）。我们的研究结果表明专职的转录限制在维持生命史变异中的关键作用。这些限制为天然和家畜种群的生产力和健康设置了根本的限制。