Promiscuity Alters DNA and Boosts Immunity In Mice

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Promiscuity Alters DNA and Boosts Immunity In Mice

Posted by timothy on Saturday September 1, 2012 @06:48AM from the now-that's-a-pickup dept.

An anonymous reader writes "Scientists from the University of California, Berkeley found that promiscuous mice have significantly stronger immune systems than monogamous mice, suggesting that promiscuous mice may have developed more robust immunity to protect them against the disease-causing bacteria they are exposed to from mating with multiple partners."

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Ha by Intrepid+imaginaut · 2012-09-01 06:50 · Score: 2

I knew monogamy was bad for you.
1. Re:Ha by K.+S.+Kyosuke · 2012-09-01 06:59 · Score: 3, Interesting
  
  The same approach in the medieval times meant (as the medical scientists speculate) fewer allergies, but at the cost of more child burials. Hardly a good trade-off, don't you think? Or another take on the same topic: more terrorists in streets sweeping innocent citizens with firearms would be better for the general public because the end result would be a greater number of proficient self-defense shooters. Somehow the real benefits elude me.
  
  --
  Ezekiel 23:20
2. Re:Ha by Metsys · 2012-09-01 07:01 · Score: 3, Funny
  
  Also mice don't have to pay child support.
3. Re:Ha by K.+S.+Kyosuke · 2012-09-01 07:10 · Score: 2
  
  I was talking about exposing yourself to pathogens in order to force the immunity system to work harder.
  
  --
  Ezekiel 23:20
4. Re:Ha by K.+S.+Kyosuke · 2012-09-01 07:46 · Score: 3, Funny
  
  No, but promiscuous mice are more likely to spend more of their income on blue cheese movies. Although, on second thought, that would probably serve to make them even happier.
  
  --
  Ezekiel 23:20
Alters DNA? by Mithent · 2012-09-01 07:01 · Score: 5, Informative

"Promiscuity Alters DNA" makes it sound like promiscuity directly causes mutations. It seems, rather, that it results in greater variation in vaginal bacteria, a state which creates selective pressure favouring increased diversity in genes involved in the functioning of the immune system... which isn't quite the same thing.
1. Re:Alters DNA? by Anonymous Coward · 2012-09-01 07:12 · Score: 4, Interesting
  
  In other words : promiscuous mice are more likely to get infected, and as such, the ones with a bad immune system died out, leaving only the mice with a stronger immune system.
  Since other mice were not influenced by this specific natural selection, they are less immune.
I bet it's not about the encounters by Qbertino · 2012-09-01 07:02 · Score: 4, Interesting

I bet it's not about the encounters but all about the lesser sexual stress/frustration. I'd argue it's the same with humans, to a certain degree. Mostly men, but women too. Unsafe sex endangers your health, but a solid amount of safe sex is likely to be good for health. That would be my theory at least.
The negative influence that sexual frustration has on ones health is vastly underestimated, I've come to believe. Especially since I've experienced what positive effects a healthy sex life can have.
My 2 cents.

--
We suffer more in our imagination than in reality. - Seneca
1. Re:I bet it's not about the encounters by drkim · 2012-09-01 10:29 · Score: 2
  
  the entire world would be better if the nomination for the US presidents would include elements regarding, at the very least, the presence of an active sexual life.
  JFK and Thomas Jefferson
  vs.
  Carter and Nixon
  ...yeah. You may have something there!
2. Re:I bet it's not about the encounters by Tenebrousedge · 2012-09-01 14:06 · Score: 5, Interesting
  
  Whatever Carter's faults, he paved the way for the revival of the American brewing industry. Here's a joke you haven't heard for decades:
  Why is American beer like having sex in a canoe?
  They're both fucking close to water.
  Imagine a world where the only options are Budweiser, Coors, or Miller. Terrible! Yet it existed. Carter legalized home brewing, which led to the resurgence of microbreweries that we tipplers currently enjoy. So if you'll excuse me, I will raise a glass to the continued health of Mr. Carter and the American beer industry!
  
  --
  Those who advocate genocide deserve every protection afforded by law, and none afforded by common human decency.
My wife is never sick... by dargaud · 2012-09-01 07:07 · Score: 4, Funny

...hope that's the classic correlation is not causation...

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Non-Linux Penguins ?
1. Re:My wife is never sick... by 19thNervousBreakdown · 2012-09-01 07:15 · Score: 2
  
  Yeah, it's probably that her strong immune system negates the inhibiting effects that catching colds from sleeping around would normally cause.
  
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  <xml><I><am><so><damn>Web 2.0</damn></so></am></I></xml>
Look baby by Delarth799 · 2012-09-01 07:36 · Score: 2

I wasn't cheating, I was just boosting my immune system so I don't get sick as much.
Ron Jeremy is immortal? by turkeyfeathers · 2012-09-01 07:43 · Score: 2

That's the conclusion I draw from the study.
To the wife... by macbeth66 · 2012-09-01 07:46 · Score: 2

I'll see you later hon, I have to go out and get a booster shot.
Old News by hemo_jr · 2012-09-01 08:42 · Score: 2

This was observed in primates earlier. Bonobos are the most promiscuous of primates and also have to devote the most resources to their immune systems.
Re:insurance claims by drkim · 2012-09-01 10:32 · Score: 2

does this mean that my I can ask my HMO to reimburse prostitutes as preventative care?
No, hookers have to be written off on your taxes as an 'entertainment' expense.
(Just take my word on this one...)
Re:Sans fertilization, it's not really sex. by hazah · 2012-09-02 03:55 · Score: 2

And this is helpful to the topic at hand how?