1
|
Broad HR, Dibnah AJ, Smith AE, Thornton A. Anthropogenic disturbance affects calling and collective behaviour in corvid roosts. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2024; 379:20230185. [PMID: 38768208 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2023.0185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Acoustic communication plays an important role in coordinating group dynamics and collective movements across a range of taxa. However, anthropogenic disturbance can inhibit the production or reception of acoustic signals. Here, we investigate the effects of noise and light pollution on the calling and collective behaviour of wild jackdaws (Corvus monedula), a highly social corvid species that uses vocalizations to coordinate collective movements at winter roosting sites. Using audio and video monitoring of roosts in areas with differing degrees of urbanization, we evaluate the influence of anthropogenic disturbance on vocalizations and collective movements. We found that when levels of background noise were higher, jackdaws took longer to settle following arrival at the roost in the evening and also called more during the night, suggesting that human disturbance may cause sleep disruption. High levels of overnight calling were, in turn, linked to disruption of vocal consensus decision-making and less cohesive group departures in the morning. These results raise the possibility that, by affecting cognitive and perceptual processes, human activities may interfere with animals' ability to coordinate collective behaviour. Understanding links between anthropogenic disturbance, communication, cognition and collective behaviour must be an important research priority in our increasingly urbanized world. This article is part of the theme issue 'The power of sound: unravelling how acoustic communication shapes group dynamics'.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hannah R Broad
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter , Penryn TR10 9FE, UK
| | - Alex J Dibnah
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter , Penryn TR10 9FE, UK
- Centre for Ecosystem Science, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales , Sydney, 2052 NSW, Australia
| | - Anna E Smith
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter , Penryn TR10 9FE, UK
| | - Alex Thornton
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter , Penryn TR10 9FE, UK
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Beaugeard E, Brischoux F, Angelier F. Light pollution affects activity differentially across breeding stages in an urban exploiter: An experiment in the house sparrow (Passer domesticus). ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 351:124055. [PMID: 38692388 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.124055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2024] [Revised: 04/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024]
Abstract
Artificial Light At Night (ALAN) is a major urban perturbation, which can have detrimental effects on wildlife. Recent urban planning has led to an increased use of white light emission diodes (LEDs) in cities. However, little is known about the effects of this type of ALAN on wild vertebrates, especially during reproduction. We designed an experiment to test the impact of ALAN on the activity rhythms (daily time of first activity (TFA) and time of last activity (TLA)) of captive House sparrows (Passer domesticus) during several reproductive stages (from pre-breeding to post-breeding). We also tested the impact of ALAN on reproductive performance (laying date, clutch size, hatching and fledging success). Experimental birds were active earlier in the morning (earlier TFA) relative to controls although experimental and control birds did not differ in their TLA. The effect of ALAN on TFA was apparent during specific stages only (pre-breeding and chick-rearing stages), suggesting that sparrows actively adjust their activity in response to ALAN only during specific periods. This impact of ALAN on activity did not persist through the whole breeding season, suggesting that sparrows may habituate to ALAN. Alternatively, they may not be able to sustain a long-term increased activity in response to ALAN because of sleep deprivation and related physiological costs. Finally, we did not find any impact of ALAN on the reproductive performance of captive house sparrows held under optimal conditions. This suggests that ALAN may not be dramatically detrimental to the reproduction of this urban exploiter, at least when food availability is not constraining.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Erika Beaugeard
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé, UMR 7372, CNRS-LRU, 79360, Villiers en Bois, France
| | - François Brischoux
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé, UMR 7372, CNRS-LRU, 79360, Villiers en Bois, France
| | - Frédéric Angelier
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé, UMR 7372, CNRS-LRU, 79360, Villiers en Bois, France.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Madison FN, Bingman VP, Smulders TV, Lattin CR. A bird's eye view of the hippocampus beyond space: Behavioral, neuroanatomical, and neuroendocrine perspectives. Horm Behav 2024; 157:105451. [PMID: 37977022 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2023.105451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Revised: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
Although the hippocampus is one of the most-studied brain regions in mammals, research on the avian hippocampus has been more limited in scope. It is generally agreed that the hippocampus is an ancient feature of the amniote brain, and therefore homologous between the two lineages. Because birds and mammals are evolutionarily not very closely related, any shared anatomy is likely to be crucial for shared functions of their hippocampi. These functions, in turn, are likely to be essential if they have been conserved for over 300 million years. Therefore, research on the avian hippocampus can help us understand how this brain region evolved and how it has changed over evolutionary time. Further, there is a strong research foundation in birds on hippocampal-supported behaviors such as spatial navigation, food caching, and brood parasitism that scientists can build upon to better understand how hippocampal anatomy, network circuitry, endocrinology, and physiology can help control these behaviors. In this review, we summarize our current understanding of the avian hippocampus in spatial cognition as well as in regulating anxiety, approach-avoidance behavior, and stress responses. Although there are still some questions about the exact number of subdivisions in the avian hippocampus and how that might vary in different avian families, there is intriguing evidence that the avian hippocampus might have complementary functional profiles along the rostral-caudal axis similar to the dorsal-ventral axis of the rodent hippocampus, where the rostral/dorsal hippocampus is more involved in cognitive processes like spatial learning and the caudal/ventral hippocampus regulates emotional states, anxiety, and the stress response. Future research should focus on elucidating the cellular and molecular mechanisms - including endocrinological - in the avian hippocampus that underlie behaviors such as spatial navigation, spatial memory, and anxiety-related behaviors, and in so doing, resolve outstanding questions about avian hippocampal function and organization.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Farrah N Madison
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Verner P Bingman
- Department of Psychology, J. P. Scott Center for Neuroscience, Mind and Behavior, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH 43403, USA
| | - Tom V Smulders
- Centre for Behaviour and Evolution, School of Psychology, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4DR, UK
| | - Christine R Lattin
- Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70808, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
LaDage LD, McCormick GL, Robbins TR, Longwell AS, Langkilde T. The effects of early-life and intergenerational stress on the brain. Proc Biol Sci 2023; 290:20231356. [PMID: 38018110 PMCID: PMC10685117 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2023.1356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Stress experienced during ontogeny can have profound effects on the adult phenotype. However, stress can also be experienced intergenerationally, where an offspring's phenotype can be moulded by stress experienced by the parents. Although early-life and intergenerational stress can alter anatomy, physiology, and behaviour, nothing is known about how these stress contexts interact to affect the neural phenotype. Here, we examined how early-life and intergenerational stress affect the brain in eastern fence lizards (Sceloporus undulatus). Some lizard populations co-occur with predatory fire ants, and stress from fire ant attacks exerts intergenerational physiological and behavioural changes in lizards. However, it is unclear if intergenerational stress, or the interaction between intergenerational and early-life stress, modulates the brain. To test this, we captured gravid females from fire ant invaded and uninvaded populations, and subjected offspring to three early-life stress treatments: (1) fire ant attack, (2) corticosterone, or (3) a control. Corticosterone and fire ant attack decreased some aspects of the neural phenotype while population of origin and the interaction of early-life stress and population had no effects on the brain. These results suggest that early-life stressors may better predict adult brain variation than intergenerational stress in this species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lara D. LaDage
- Division of Mathematics & Natural Sciences, Penn State Altoona, 3000 Ivyside Dr., Altoona, PA 16601, USA
| | - Gail L. McCormick
- Eberly College of Science, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Travis R. Robbins
- Department of Biology, University of Nebraska Omaha, 6001 Dodge St., Omaha, NE 68182, USA
| | - Anna S. Longwell
- Division of Mathematics & Natural Sciences, Penn State Altoona, 3000 Ivyside Dr., Altoona, PA 16601, USA
| | - Tracy Langkilde
- Eberly College of Science, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Kumar A, Prabhat A, Kumar V, Bhardwaj SK. Artificial night illumination disrupts sleep, and attenuates mood and learning in diurnal animals: evidence from behavior and gene expression studies in zebra finches. Photochem Photobiol Sci 2023; 22:2247-2257. [PMID: 37329435 DOI: 10.1007/s43630-023-00447-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
This study investigated the effects of an illuminated night on sleep, mood, and cognitive performance in non-seasonal diurnal zebra finches that were exposed for 6 weeks to an ecologically relevant dimly lit night (12L:12dLAN; 150 lx: 5 lx) with controls on the dark night (12L:12D; 150 lx: < 0.01 lx). Food and water were provided ad libitum. Under dLAN (dim light at night), birds showed disrupted nocturnal (frequent awakenings) and overall decreased sleep duration. They also exhibited a compromised novel object exploration, a marker of the bird's mood state, and committed more errors, took significantly longer duration to learn with low retrieval performance of the learned task when tested for a color-discrimination (learning) task under the dLAN. Further, compared to controls, there was reduced mRNA expression level of genes involved in the neurogenesis, neural plasticity (bdnf, dcx and egr1) and motivation (th, drd2, taar1 and htr2c; dopamine synthesis and signaling genes) in the brain (hippocampus (HP), nidopallium caudolaterale (NCL), and midbrain) of birds under dLAN. These results show concurrent negative behavioral and molecular neural effects of the dimly illuminated nights, and provide insights into the possible impact on sleep and mental health in diurnal species inhabiting an increasingly urbanized ecosystem.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ashwani Kumar
- Department of Zoology, Chaudhary Charan Singh University, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, 250004, India
| | - Abhilash Prabhat
- Department of Zoology, Chaudhary Charan Singh University, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, 250004, India
| | - Vinod Kumar
- Department of Zoology, University of Delhi, Delhi, 110007, India
| | - Sanjay Kumar Bhardwaj
- Department of Zoology, Chaudhary Charan Singh University, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, 250004, India.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Hui CK, Chen N, Chakraborty A, Alaasam V, Pieraut S, Ouyang JQ. Dim artificial light at night alters immediate early gene expression throughout the avian brain. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1194996. [PMID: 37469841 PMCID: PMC10352805 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1194996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Artificial light at night (ALAN) is a pervasive pollutant that alters physiology and behavior. However, the underlying mechanisms triggering these alterations are unknown, as previous work shows that dim levels of ALAN may have a masking effect, bypassing the central clock. Light stimulates neuronal activity in numerous brain regions which could in turn activate downstream effectors regulating physiological response. In the present study, taking advantage of immediate early gene (IEG) expression as a proxy for neuronal activity, we determined the brain regions activated in response to ALAN. We exposed zebra finches to dim ALAN (1.5 lux) and analyzed 24 regions throughout the brain. We found that the overall expression of two different IEGs, cFos and ZENK, in birds exposed to ALAN were significantly different from birds inactive at night. Additionally, we found that ALAN-exposed birds had significantly different IEG expression from birds inactive at night and active during the day in several brain areas associated with vision, movement, learning and memory, pain processing, and hormone regulation. These results give insight into the mechanistic pathways responding to ALAN that underlie downstream, well-documented behavioral and physiological changes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cassandra K. Hui
- Department of Biology, University of Nevada, Reno, Reno, NV, United States
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
7
|
Buniyaadi A, Prabhat A, Bhardwaj SK, Kumar V. Night melatonin levels affect cognition in diurnal animals: Molecular insights from a corvid exposed to an illuminated night environment. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 308:119618. [PMID: 35714793 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2022] [Revised: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 06/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
This study investigated the role of nocturnal melatonin secretion in the cognitive performance of diurnal animals. An initial experiment measured the cognitive performance in Indian house crows treated for 11 days with 12 h light at 1.426 W/m2 (∼150 lux) coupled with 12 h of 0.058 W/m2 (∼6-lux) dim light at night (dLAN) or with absolute darkness (0 lux dark night, LD). dLAN treatment significantly decreased midnight melatonin levels and negatively impacted cognitive performance. Subsequently, the role of exogenous melatonin (50 μg; administered intraperitoneally half an hour before the night began) was assessed on the regulation of cognitive performance in two separate experimental cohorts of crows kept under dLAN; LD controls received vehicle. Exogenous melatonin restored its mid-night levels under dLAN at par with those under LD controls, and improved the cognitive performance, as measured in the innovative problem-solving, and spatial and pattern learning-memory efficiency tests in dLAN-treated crows. There were concurrent molecular changes in the cognition-associated brain areas, namely the hippocampus, nidopallium caudolaterale and midbrain. In particular, the expression levels of genes involved in neurogenesis and synaptic plasticity (bdnf, dcx, egr1, creb), and dopamine synthesis and signalling (th, drd1, drd2, darpp32, taar1) were restored to LD control levels in crows treated with illuminated nights and received melatonin. These results demonstrate that the maintenance of nocturnal melatonin levels is crucial for an optimal higher-order brain function in diurnal animals in the face of an environmental threat, such as light pollution.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amaan Buniyaadi
- IndoUS Center in Chronobiology, Department of Zoology, University of Delhi, Delhi, 110 007, India
| | - Abhilash Prabhat
- IndoUS Center in Chronobiology, Department of Zoology, University of Delhi, Delhi, 110 007, India
| | | | - Vinod Kumar
- IndoUS Center in Chronobiology, Department of Zoology, University of Delhi, Delhi, 110 007, India.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Artificial Light at Night, Higher Brain Functions and Associated Neuronal Changes: An Avian Perspective. BIRDS 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/birds3010003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent times, there has been an unprecedented increase in usage of electrical lightning. This has led to increase in artificial light at night (ALAN), and it has been suggested as a source of environmental pollution. ALAN exposure has been reported to be associated with disruption of daily rhythms and serious health consequences, such as immune, metabolic, and cognitive dysfunctions in both birds and mammals. Given the worldwide pervasiveness of ALAN, this research topic is also important from an ecological perspective. In birds, daily timings and appropriate temporal niches are important for fitness and survival. Daily rhythms in a wide array of functions are regulated by the circadian clock(s) and endogenous oscillators present in the body. There is accumulating evidence that exposure to ALAN disrupts clock-regulated daily rhythms and suppresses melatonin and sleep in birds. Circadian clock, melatonin, and sleep regulate avian cognitive performance. However, there is limited research on this topic, and most of the insights on the adverse effects of ALAN on cognitive functions are from behavioural studies. Nevertheless, these results raise an intriguing question about the molecular underpinning of the ALAN-induced negative consequences on brain functions. Further research should be focused on the molecular links between ALAN and cognitive performance, including the role of melatonin, which could shed light on the mechanism by which ALAN exposures lead to negative consequences.
Collapse
|
9
|
Secondi J, Mondy N, Gippet JMW, Touzot M, Gardette V, Guillard L, Lengagne T. Artificial light at night alters activity, body mass, and corticosterone level in a tropical anuran. Behav Ecol 2021. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/arab044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Photoperiod is a major factor regulating biological rhythms in animals and plants. At low latitudes, annual variation in daylength is low and species are expected to strongly rely on photic cues to reset their circadian clocks. A corollary is that individuals should be strongly affected by sudden changes in the photic regime as those generated by artificial light at night (ALAN). We tested this hypothesis in an anuran in Costa Rica (10°N). Using an outdoor experimental design, we exposed adult cane toads Rhinella marina, a broadly distributed tropical anuran species to two ALAN intensities (0.04 and 5 lx). Locomotor activity was reduced at the lowest intensity, and the activity pattern shifted from crepuscular to nocturnal. Contrary to humans and mice in which ALAN favor obesity, toads from the two exposed groups did not gain mass whereas controls did. Corticosterone was reduced at the highest intensity, a possible consequence of the reduced activity of toads or the altered regulation of their circadian pattern. Thus, the behavioral and physiological disruption that we observed supports the hypothesis of the strong reliance on photic cues to regulate circadian rhythms and control homeostasis in this intertropical anuran. Furthermore, our results suggest that the negative effects of ALAN on physiology, in particular body mass regulation, may differ between vertebrate groups, thus preventing anticipated generalization before more comparative studies have been carried out. We stress the importance of considering the impact of the changing nocturnal environment in the intertropical zone which host the largest fraction of biodiversity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jean Secondi
- Univ Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, ENTPE, UMR5023 LEHNA, F-69622, Villeurbanne,France
- Faculté des Sciences, Université d’Angers, 49045 Angers, France
| | - Nathalie Mondy
- Univ Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, ENTPE, UMR5023 LEHNA, F-69622, Villeurbanne,France
| | - Jérôme Marcel Walter Gippet
- Univ Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, ENTPE, UMR5023 LEHNA, F-69622, Villeurbanne,France
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne, Le Biophore, UNIL-Sorge, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Morgane Touzot
- Univ Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, ENTPE, UMR5023 LEHNA, F-69622, Villeurbanne,France
| | - Vanessa Gardette
- Univ Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, ENTPE, UMR5023 LEHNA, F-69622, Villeurbanne,France
| | - Ludovic Guillard
- Univ Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, ENTPE, UMR5023 LEHNA, F-69622, Villeurbanne,France
| | - Thierry Lengagne
- Univ Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, ENTPE, UMR5023 LEHNA, F-69622, Villeurbanne,France
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Abstract
Explaining how animals respond to an increasingly urbanised world is a major challenge for evolutionary biologists. Urban environments often present animals with novel problems that differ from those encountered in their evolutionary past. To navigate these rapidly changing habitats successfully, animals may need to adjust their behaviour flexibly over relatively short timescales. These behavioural changes, in turn, may be facilitated by an ability to acquire, store and process information from the environment. The question of how cognitive abilities allow animals to avoid threats and exploit resources (or constrain their ability to do so) is attracting increasing research interest, with a growing number of studies investigating cognitive and behavioural differences between urban-dwelling animals and their non-urban counterparts. In this review we consider why such differences might arise, focusing on the informational challenges faced by animals living in urban environments, and how different cognitive abilities can assist in overcoming these challenges. We focus largely on birds, as avian taxa have been the subject of most research to date, but discuss work in other species where relevant. We also address the potential consequences of cognitive variation at the individual and species level. For instance, do urban environments select for, or influence the development of, particular cognitive abilities? Are individuals or species with particular cognitive phenotypes more likely to become established in urban habitats? How do other factors, such as social behaviour and individual personality, interact with cognition to influence behaviour in urban environments? The aim of this review is to synthesise current knowledge and identify key avenues for future research, in order to improve our understanding of the ecological and evolutionary consequences of urbanisation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Victoria E Lee
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter Penryn Campus, Penryn, UK
| | - Alex Thornton
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter Penryn Campus, Penryn, UK
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Namgyal D, Chandan K, Sultan A, Aftab M, Ali S, Mehta R, El-Serehy HA, Al-Misned FA, Sarwat M. Dim Light at Night Induced Neurodegeneration and Ameliorative Effect of Curcumin. Cells 2020; 9:cells9092093. [PMID: 32933226 PMCID: PMC7565558 DOI: 10.3390/cells9092093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2020] [Revised: 08/28/2020] [Accepted: 09/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
It is a well-known fact that following a proper routine light/dark or diurnal rhythm controls almost all biological processes. With the introduction of modern lighting and artificial illumination systems, continuous exposure to light at night may lead to the disruption of diurnal rhythm. However, the effect of light during the night on brain anatomy, physiology, and human body functions is less explored and poorly understood. In this study, we have evaluated the effect of exposure to dim light (5 lux) at night (dLAN) on Swiss Albino mice over a duration of three consecutive weeks. Results have revealed that exposure to dLAN led to an impairment of cognitive and non-cognitive behaviour, oxidative stress–mediated elevation of lipid peroxidation, and reduction of superoxide dismutase and catalase activity. It also led to the downregulation of hippocampal proteins (BDNF, Synapsin II and DCX) at both protein and mRNA level. Additionally, there was downregulation of CREB and SIRT1 mRNAs and neurodegeneration-associated miRNA21a-5p and miRNA34a-5p. The pyramidal and cortical neurons started showing pyknotic and chromatolysis characteristics. However, a dose of curcumin administered to the mice positively modulated these parameters in our experimental animals. We proposed the modulatory role of curcumin in addressing the deleterious effects of dLAN.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dhondup Namgyal
- Amity Institute of Neuropsychology and Neuroscience, Amity University, Noida UP 201303, India; (D.N.); (R.M.)
- Amity Institute of Pharmacy, Amity University, Noida UP 201303, India;
| | - Kumari Chandan
- Amity Institute of Pharmacy, Amity University, Noida UP 201303, India;
| | - Armiya Sultan
- Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Basic Sciences, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi 110025, India;
| | - Mehreen Aftab
- Amity Institute of Molecular Medicine and Stem Cell Research, Amity University, Noida UP 201303, India;
| | - Sher Ali
- School of Basic Sciences and Research, Department of Life Sciences, Sharda University, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh 201310, India;
| | - Rachna Mehta
- Amity Institute of Neuropsychology and Neuroscience, Amity University, Noida UP 201303, India; (D.N.); (R.M.)
| | - Hamed A. El-Serehy
- Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh l1451, Saudi Arabia; (H.A.E.-S.); (F.A.A.-M.)
| | - Fahad A. Al-Misned
- Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh l1451, Saudi Arabia; (H.A.E.-S.); (F.A.A.-M.)
| | - Maryam Sarwat
- Amity Institute of Pharmacy, Amity University, Noida UP 201303, India;
- Correspondence: Correspondence: ; Tel.: +91-12-0439-2472
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Moaraf S, Heiblum R, Vistoropsky Y, Okuliarová M, Zeman M, Barnea A. Artificial Light at Night Increases Recruitment of New Neurons and Differentially Affects Various Brain Regions in Female Zebra Finches. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E6140. [PMID: 32858878 PMCID: PMC7503983 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21176140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2020] [Revised: 08/22/2020] [Accepted: 08/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite growing evidence that demonstrate adverse effects of artificial light at night (ALAN) on many species, relatively little is known regarding its effects on brain plasticity in birds. We recently showed that although ALAN increases cell proliferation in brains of birds, neuronal densities in two brain regions decreased, indicating neuronal death, which might be due to mortality of newly produced neurons or of existing ones. Therefore, in the present study we studied the effect of long-term ALAN on the recruitment of newborn neurons into their target regions in the brain. Accordingly, we exposed zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata) to 5 lux ALAN, and analysed new neuronal recruitment and total neuronal densities in several brain regions. We found that ALAN increased neuronal recruitment, possibly as a compensatory response to ALAN-induced neuronal death, and/or due to increased nocturnal locomotor activity caused by sleep disruption. Moreover, ALAN also had a differential temporal effect on neuronal densities, because hippocampus was more sensitive to ALAN and its neuronal densities were more affected than in other brain regions. Nocturnal melatonin levels under ALAN were significantly lower compared to controls, indicating that very low ALAN intensities suppress melatonin not only in nocturnal, but also in diurnal species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stan Moaraf
- School of Zoology, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv 6997801, Israel
- Department of Natural and Life Sciences, The Open University of Israel, Ra’anana 43710, Israel; (R.H.); (Y.V.); (A.B.)
| | - Rachel Heiblum
- Department of Natural and Life Sciences, The Open University of Israel, Ra’anana 43710, Israel; (R.H.); (Y.V.); (A.B.)
| | - Yulia Vistoropsky
- Department of Natural and Life Sciences, The Open University of Israel, Ra’anana 43710, Israel; (R.H.); (Y.V.); (A.B.)
| | - Monika Okuliarová
- Department of Animal Physiology and Ethology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University, 84215 Bratislava, Slovak Republic; (M.O.); (M.Z.)
| | - Michal Zeman
- Department of Animal Physiology and Ethology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University, 84215 Bratislava, Slovak Republic; (M.O.); (M.Z.)
| | - Anat Barnea
- Department of Natural and Life Sciences, The Open University of Israel, Ra’anana 43710, Israel; (R.H.); (Y.V.); (A.B.)
| |
Collapse
|