Cai Xiao-Quan Ph.D.: 2001－2005 Supervisors: Prof. Zhong Wen-Qin and Wang De-Hua E-mail: caixqcb@hotmail.com Tel.: (+0033)02408960867

Thesis
　　Trade-Off between Immunity and Reproduction in Brandt’s Voles (Lasiopodomys brandtii)

Research interests
　　My research interests lie generally within the field of Evolutionary Biology and Physiological Ecology. I am currently interested in exploring the trade-off between reproductive

Research Summary
　　We studied the trade-off between reproduction and immunity in Brandt’s voles. Our results indicate that immune response is sufficiently costly to compromise reproductive activity, and investment in reproduction is negatively correlated with immunocompetence. There is a trade-off between immunity and reproduction in Brandt’s voles. We suggest that many of the metabolic adjustments at first appear quite counterproductive, but overall survival and fitness of individuals and the population are undoubtedly enhanced.