Changes in reproductive effort during infection is also thought to be a less costly alternative to mounting resistance or defence against invading parasites, although it can occur in concert with a defence response.
Tamén se cre que os cambios nos esforzos reprodutores durante a infección son unha alternativa menos costosa para organizar a resistencia ou defensa contra parasitos invasores, aínda que pode ocorrer xunto cunha resposta de defensa.