Early-life glucocorticoids accelerate lymphocyte count senescence in roe deer

We used these longitudinal data to test whether higher baseline GC levels measured within the first year of life were associated with a more pronounced immunosenescence and parasite susceptibility. We first assessed immunosenescence trajectories in these populations facing contrasting environmental conditions.

Then, we found that juvenile GC levels can modulate lymphocyte trajectory. Lymphocyte depletion was accelerated late in life when FGMs were elevated early in life. Although the exact mechanism remains to be elucidated it could involve a role of GCs on thymic characteristics.