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Fallahshahroudi A, Sorato E, Altimiras J, Jensen P. The Domestic BCO2 Allele Buffers Low-Carotenoid Diets in Chickens: Possible Fitness Increase Through Species Hybridization. Genetics 2019; 212:1445-1452. [PMID: 31160321 PMCID: PMC6707467 DOI: 10.1534/genetics.119.302258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2019] [Accepted: 05/29/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Domestic animals are adapted to conditions vastly different from those of their wild ancestors, and this is particularly true for their diets. The most numerous of all domestic species, the chicken, originated from the Red Junglefowl (RJF), a native of subtropical forests in Southeast Asia. Surprisingly however, in domestic chicken breeds, a common haplotype of the β-carotene oxygenase 2 (BCO2) gene, which is involved in carotenoid metabolism, is introgressed from a related species, the Gray Junglefowl, and has been under strong selective pressure during domestication. This suggests that a hybridization event may have conferred a fitness advantage on chickens carrying the derived allele. To investigate the possible biological function of the introgressed BCO2 allele in chicken, we introgressed the ancestral BCO2 allele into domestic White Leghorn chickens. We measured gene expression as well as carotenoid accumulation in skin and eggs of chickens carrying either the ancestral or the derived BCO2 allele. The derived haplotype was associated with down-regulation of BCO2 in skin, muscle, and adipose tissue, but not in liver or duodenum, indicating that carotenoid accumulation occurred in the tissues with reduced gene expression. Most importantly, we found that hens with the derived BCO2 genotype were capable of allocating stored carotenoids to their eggs, suggesting a functional benefit through buffering any shortage in the diet during egg production. Nevertheless, it is of interest that loss of function mutations in BCO2 gene are prevalent in other domesticates including cows, rabbits, and sheep, and, given the importance of carotenoids in development, reproduction, and immunity, it is possible that derived BCO2 alleles may provide a general mechanism in multiple domestic species to deal with higher demand for carotenoids in an environment with carotenoid shortage in the diet.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amir Fallahshahroudi
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Biomedicine Centrum (BMC), Uppsala University, 752 37, Sweden
| | - Enrico Sorato
- Reneco International Wildlife Consultants, Abu Dhabi, UAE
| | - Jordi Altimiras
- AVIAN Behavioural Genomics and Physiology Group, IFM Biology, Linköping University, 58183, Sweden
| | - Per Jensen
- AVIAN Behavioural Genomics and Physiology Group, IFM Biology, Linköping University, 58183, Sweden
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Giraudeau M, Ziegler AK, Mcgraw KJ, Okuliarová M, Zeman M, Tschirren B. In ovo yolk carotenoid and testosterone levels interactively influence female transfer of yolk antioxidants to her eggs. Biol Lett 2018; 14:rsbl.2018.0103. [PMID: 29875206 DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2018.0103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2018] [Accepted: 05/03/2018] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Mothers can influence prenatal conditions by varying the amount of nutrients, hormones or antioxidants they provide to their developing young. Some of these substances even affect the transfer of these compounds in the next generation, but it is less clear how different maternally transmitted compounds interact with each other to shape reproductive resource allocation in their offspring. Here, we found that female Japanese quails (Coturnix japonica) that were exposed to high carotenoid levels during embryonic development transferred lower concentrations of yolk antioxidants to their own eggs later in life. This effect disappeared when both testosterone and carotenoid concentrations were manipulated simultaneously, showing long-term and interactive effects of these maternally derived egg components on a female's own egg composition. Given that exposure to high levels of testosterone during embryo development stimulates the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and impairs antioxidant defenses, we propose that carotenoids act as in ovo antioxidants in an oxidatively stressful environment (i.e. when levels of testosterone are high) but might have prooxidant properties in an environment where they are not used to counteract an increased production of ROS. In line with this hypothesis, we previously showed that prenatal exposure to increased concentrations of yolk carotenoids leads to a rise of oxidative damage at adulthood, but only when yolk testosterone concentrations were not experimentally increased as well. As a consequence, antioxidants in the body may be used to limit oxidative damage in females exposed to high levels of carotenoids during development (but not in females exposed to increased levels of both carotenoids and testosterone), resulting in lower amounts of antioxidants being available for deposition into eggs. Since prenatal antioxidant exposure is known to influence fitness-related traits, the effect detected in this study might have transgenerational consequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathieu Giraudeau
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-4501, USA .,Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Penryn, Cornwall TR10 9FE, UK.,Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Switzerland
| | - Ann-Kathrin Ziegler
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Switzerland.,Department of Biology, Lund University, Sölvegatan 37, Lund, Sweden
| | - Kevin J Mcgraw
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-4501, USA
| | - Monika Okuliarová
- Department of Animal Physiology and Ethology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava, Ilkovičova 6, 842 15, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Michal Zeman
- Department of Animal Physiology and Ethology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava, Ilkovičova 6, 842 15, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Barbara Tschirren
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Penryn, Cornwall TR10 9FE, UK.,Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Switzerland
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Possenti CD, Secomandi S, Schiavon A, Caprioli M, Rubolini D, Romano A, Saino N, Parolini M. Independent and combined effects of egg pro- and anti-oxidants on gull chick phenotype. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018; 221:jeb.174300. [PMID: 29615528 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.174300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2017] [Accepted: 03/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Oviparous mothers transfer to their eggs components that have both independent and combined effects on offspring phenotype. The functional interaction between egg components, such as antioxidants and hormones, suggests that a change in the concentration of one component will have effects on offspring traits that depend on the concentration of other interacting components. However, the combined effects of variation in different egg components are virtually unknown. Bird eggs contain vitamin E, a major antioxidant, and also maternal corticosterone. The independent consequences of variation in the egg concentrations of these compounds for offspring phenotype are largely unknown and no study has investigated their combined effects. We manipulated the concentration of vitamin E and corticosterone in the eggs of the yellow-legged gull (Larus michahellis) by administering a physiological (2 s.d.) dose both independently and in combination. We tested for an effect on chick post-natal growth, plasma antioxidant capacity (TAC) and oxidative compounds (TOS). Separate administration of vitamin E or corticosterone caused a reduction in body mass relative to controls, whereas the combined administration of the two compounds reversed their negative effects. These results suggest that maternal egg components, such as antioxidants and steroid hormones, interact and mothers must balance their concentrations in order to achieve optimal offspring phenotype. The functional relationship between vitamin E and corticosterone is corroborated by the observation of positive covariation between these compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Daniela Possenti
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of Milan, via Celoria 26, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Simona Secomandi
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of Milan, via Celoria 26, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Alfredo Schiavon
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of Milan, via Celoria 26, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Manuela Caprioli
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of Milan, via Celoria 26, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Diego Rubolini
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of Milan, via Celoria 26, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Romano
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of Milan, via Celoria 26, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Nicola Saino
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of Milan, via Celoria 26, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Marco Parolini
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of Milan, via Celoria 26, 20133 Milan, Italy
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Giraudeau M, Ducatez S. Co-adjustment of yolk antioxidants and androgens in birds. Biol Lett 2017; 12:rsbl.2016.0676. [PMID: 27852943 DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2016.0676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2016] [Accepted: 10/24/2016] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Mothers can shape the developmental trajectory of their offspring through the transmission of resources such as hormones, antioxidants or immunoglobulins. Over the last two decades, an abundant literature on maternal effects in birds has shown that several of these compounds (i.e. androgens, glucocorticoids and antioxidants) often influence the same offspring phenotypic traits (i.e. growth, immunity or oxidative stress levels), making interaction effects between egg components a likely scenario. However, the potential interactive effects of maternally transmitted compounds on offspring development and potential co-adjustment of these compounds within an egg are still poorly understood. Here, we report the results of an interspecific comparative analysis on birds' egg yolk composition (i.e. androgens and antioxidants) where we found that yolk carotenoid and vitamin E concentrations are positively associated, supporting the hypothesis that these two antioxidants act in synergy. The concentrations of vitamin E also increased with increasing concentrations of testosterone. This last result confirms the emerging idea that androgens and antioxidants are co-adjusted within eggs and that maternally transmitted antioxidants might limit the potential direct and indirect effects of prenatal exposure to high testosterone levels on oxidative stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathieu Giraudeau
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-4501, USA .,Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Penryn, Cornwall, UK
| | - Simon Ducatez
- Department of Biology, McGill University, Montréal, Canada.,CREAF, Barcelona, Spain
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5
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Giraudeau M, Ziegler AK, Tschirren B. Long-term effect of yolk carotenoid levels on testis size in a precocial bird. Biol Lett 2017; 12:rsbl.2016.0008. [PMID: 27122006 DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2016.0008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2016] [Accepted: 04/05/2016] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Conditions experienced during prenatal development can have long-lasting organizational effects on offspring. Maternal carotenoids deposited in the eggs of birds and other oviparous species play an important role during fast embryonic growth and chick development through their antioxidant properties. However, the long-term consequences of variation in maternal carotenoid transfer for the offspring have seldom been considered. Since plasma carotenoid levels at adulthood are known to influence testis size and yolk carotenoid levels influence the ability to extract carotenoids later in life, we hypothesized that maternally transmitted carotenoids might influence gonad size at adulthood. Here, we showed that male Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) originating from a carotenoid-enriched egg had smaller testes than control individuals at adulthood. This result shows that yolk carotenoids have long-term organizational effects. In addition, given that carotenoid intake at sexual maturity increases sperm quality and that a decreased testis size is associated with a lower sperm production, we propose that carotenoid exposure during embryo development might influence a trade-off between ejaculate size and sperm quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathieu Giraudeau
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA Centre for Ecology and Conservation, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Penryn, Cornwall, TR10 9FE, UK
| | - Ann-Kathrin Ziegler
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Barbara Tschirren
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
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6
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Moreno-Rueda G. Preen oil and bird fitness: a critical review of the evidence. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2017; 92:2131-2143. [PMID: 28231637 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2016] [Revised: 01/23/2017] [Accepted: 01/27/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The uropygial gland is a holocrine complex exclusive to birds that produces an oleaginous secretion (preen oil) whose function is still debated. Herein, I examine critically the evidence for the many hypotheses of potential functions of this gland. The main conclusion is that our understanding of this gland is still in its infancy. Even for functions that are considered valid by most researchers, real evidence is scarce. Although it seems clear that preen oil contributes to plumage maintenance, we do not know whether this is due to a role in reducing mechanical abrasion or in reducing feather degradation by keratinophilic organisms. Evidence for a function against pathogenic bacteria is mixed, as preen oil has been demonstrated to act against bacteria in vitro, but not in vivo. Nor is it clear whether preen oil can combat pathogenic bacteria on eggshells to improve hatching success. Studies on the effect of preen oil against dermatophytes are very scarce and there is no evidence of a function against chewing lice. It seems clear, however, that preen oil improves waterproofing, but it is unclear whether this acts by creating a hydrophobic layer or simply by improving plumage structure. Several hypotheses proposed for the function of preen oil have been poorly studied, such as reduction of drag in flight. Similarly, we do not know whether preen oil functions as repellent against predators or parasites, makes birds unpalatable, or functions to camouflage birds with ambient odours. On the other hand, a growing body of work shows the important implications of volatiles in preen oil with regard to social communication in birds. Moreover, preen oil clearly alters plumage colouration. Finally, studies examining the impact of preen oil on fitness are lacking, and the costs or limitations of preen-oil production also remain poorly known. The uropygial gland appears to have several non-mutually exclusive functions in birds, and thus is likely to be subject to several selective pressures. Therefore, future studies should consider how the inevitable trade-offs among different functions drive the evolution of uropygial gland secretions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregorio Moreno-Rueda
- Departamento de Zoología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Granada, E-18071, Granada, Spain
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Possenti CD, Karadas F, Colombo G, Caprioli M, Rubolini D, Milzani A, Donne ID, Saino N, Parolini M. Antioxidants and embryo phenotype: is there experimental evidence for strong integration of the antioxidant system? J Exp Biol 2017; 220:615-624. [DOI: 10.1242/jeb.146498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2016] [Accepted: 11/25/2016] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Organisms have evolved complex defense systems against oxidative stress. Bird eggs contain maternally derived antioxidants that protect embryos from oxidative damage. The antioxidant system components are thought to be integrated, but few studies have analyzed the covariation between antioxidant concentrations, embryo ‘oxidative status’ and morphology. In addition, no study has tested the effects of experimental change in yolk antioxidant concentration on other antioxidants, on their reciprocal relationships and on their relationships with embryo oxidative status or growth, which are expected if antioxidants defenses are integrated. In yellow-legged gull (Larus michahellis) embryos, we analyzed the covariation between several antioxidants, markers of ‘oxidative status’ [total antioxidant capacity (TAC), concentration of pro-oxidants (TOS), lipid peroxidation (LPO) and protein carbonylation (PC)] in the yolk, liver and brain, and morphology. Yolk and liver antioxidant concentrations were positively correlated reciprocally and with embryo size, and positively predicted TAC but not oxidative status. TOS and LPO were positively correlated in the liver, while TAC and LPO were negatively correlated in the brain. Weak relationships existed between antioxidants and TOS, PC and LPO. The effects of antioxidants on oxidative status and morphology were non-synergistic. An experimental physiological increase in yolk vitamin E had very weak effects on the relationships between other antioxidants or oxidative status and vitamin E concentration, the concentration of other antioxidants or oxidative status; the covariation between other antioxidants and oxidative status, and relationships between morphology or oxidative status and other antioxidants, challenging the common wisdom of strong functional relationships among antioxidants, at least for embryos in the wild.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Filiz Karadas
- Department of Animal Science, University of Yüzüncü Yil, Van 65090, Turkey
| | - Graziano Colombo
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, via Celoria 26, Milan I-20133, Italy
| | - Manuela Caprioli
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, via Celoria 26, Milan I-20133, Italy
| | - Diego Rubolini
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, via Celoria 26, Milan I-20133, Italy
| | - Aldo Milzani
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, via Celoria 26, Milan I-20133, Italy
| | - Isabella Dalle Donne
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, via Celoria 26, Milan I-20133, Italy
| | - Nicola Saino
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, via Celoria 26, Milan I-20133, Italy
| | - Marco Parolini
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, via Celoria 26, Milan I-20133, Italy
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8
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Avilés JM, Parejo D. Sex Difference in Condition Dependence of Carotenoid Gapes in the Eurasian Roller (Coracias garrulus). Physiol Biochem Zool 2016; 89:524-535. [PMID: 27792533 DOI: 10.1086/688756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
In altricial birds, sex differentiation can start early in the ontogeny in the form of color, physiology, and/or growth and may potentially result in sex-specific condition dependence of traits mediating parent-offspring communication. Carotenoids have long been hypothesized to modulate the expression of gape coloration, but their sex-specific role enforcing honesty of gape coloration remains poorly studied. In a within-nest design, we provided carotenoid supplementation to nestlings of the Eurasian roller (Coracias garrulus) and measured the response in circulating carotenoids, coloration of the gape, cutaneous immune responsiveness to phytohemagglutinin, and growth while accounting for the sex of nestlings. Male nestlings supplemented with carotenoids displayed enhanced pigmentation of their gapes and grew faster than control nestlings, but there was no within-individual correlation between gape color and growth in either carotenoid-supplemented or control males. Female nestlings, however, diverted most supplemented carotenoids into growing fast at the expense of reducing their level of circulating carotenoids and displaying less-pigmented gapes. Nestling cutaneous immune response was not affected by carotenoid supplementation in either sex. Our results provide only weak support for the hypothesis that carotenoids enforce the honesty of gape color signals in nestling rollers and demonstrate sex specificity in how nestlings divert a surplus of carotenoids into different physiological functions.
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Giraudeau M, Ziegler AK, Pick JL, Ducatez S, Canale CI, Tschirren B. Interactive effects of yolk testosterone and carotenoid on prenatal growth and offspring physiology in a precocial bird. Behav Ecol 2016. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/arw127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
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10
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Starting with a handicap: effects of asynchronous hatching on growth rate, oxidative stress and telomere dynamics in free-living great tits. Oecologia 2015; 179:999-1010. [DOI: 10.1007/s00442-015-3429-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2014] [Accepted: 08/14/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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11
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Carotenoids increase immunity and sex specifically affect color and redox homeostasis in a monochromatic seabird. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2015. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-015-1922-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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12
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Jacob S, Parthuisot N, Vallat A, Ramon‐Portugal F, Helfenstein F, Heeb P. Microbiome affects egg carotenoid investment, nestling development and adult oxidative costs of reproduction in Great tits. Funct Ecol 2015. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2435.12404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Staffan Jacob
- Laboratoire Évolution et Diversité Biologique (EDB) UMR 5174 Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) Ecole Nationale de Formation Agronomique (ENFA) – Université Paul Sabatier 118 Route de Narbonne F‐31062 Toulouse France
| | - Nathalie Parthuisot
- Laboratoire Évolution et Diversité Biologique (EDB) UMR 5174 Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) Ecole Nationale de Formation Agronomique (ENFA) – Université Paul Sabatier 118 Route de Narbonne F‐31062 Toulouse France
| | - Armelle Vallat
- Institute of Chemistry University of Neuchâtel Avenue de Bellevaux 51 2000 Neuchâtel Switzerland
| | - Felipe Ramon‐Portugal
- Laboratoire Évolution et Diversité Biologique (EDB) UMR 5174 Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) Ecole Nationale de Formation Agronomique (ENFA) – Université Paul Sabatier 118 Route de Narbonne F‐31062 Toulouse France
| | - Fabrice Helfenstein
- Institute of Biology University of Neuchâtel Emile‐Argand 11 2000 Neuchâtel Switzerland
| | - Philipp Heeb
- Laboratoire Évolution et Diversité Biologique (EDB) UMR 5174 Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) Ecole Nationale de Formation Agronomique (ENFA) – Université Paul Sabatier 118 Route de Narbonne F‐31062 Toulouse France
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13
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Marri V, Richner H. Immune response, oxidative stress and dietary antioxidants in great tit nestlings. Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 2015; 179:192-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2014.10.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2014] [Revised: 10/22/2014] [Accepted: 10/22/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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14
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Yolk carotenoids increase fledging success in great tit nestlings. Oecologia 2014; 176:371-7. [DOI: 10.1007/s00442-014-3051-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2014] [Accepted: 08/13/2014] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Maternal effects in the highly communal sociable weaver may exacerbate brood reduction and prepare offspring for a competitive social environment. Oecologia 2012; 171:379-89. [PMID: 22948278 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-012-2439-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2011] [Accepted: 08/14/2012] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Maternal effects can influence offspring phenotype with short- and long-term consequences. Yet, how the social environment may influence egg composition is not well understood. Here, we investigate how laying order and social environment predict maternal effects in the sociable weaver, Philetairus socius, a species that lives in massive communal nests which may be occupied by only a few to 100+ individuals in a single nest. This range of social environments is associated with variation in a number of phenotypic and life-history traits. We investigate whether maternal effects are adjusted accordingly. We found no evidence for the prediction that females might benefit from modifying brood hierarchies through an increased deposition of androgens with laying order. Instead, females appear to exacerbate brood reduction by decreasing the costly production of yolk mass and antioxidants with laying order. Additionally, we found that this effect did not depend on colony size. Finally, in accordance with an expected increased intensity of environmental stress with increasing colony size, we found that yolk androgen concentration increased with colony size. This result suggests that females may enhance the competitive ability of offspring raised in larger colonies, possibly preparing the offspring for a competitive social environment.
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Dearborn DC, Hanley D, Ballantine K, Cullum J, Reeder DM. Eggshell colour is more strongly affected by maternal identity than by dietary antioxidants in a captive poultry system. Funct Ecol 2012. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2435.2012.02001.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Daniel Hanley
- Department of Biology and Program in Animal Behaviour; Bucknell University; Lewisburg; Pennsylvania; 17837; USA
| | - Katherine Ballantine
- Department of Biology and Program in Animal Behaviour; Bucknell University; Lewisburg; Pennsylvania; 17837; USA
| | - John Cullum
- Department of Biology and Program in Animal Behaviour; Bucknell University; Lewisburg; Pennsylvania; 17837; USA
| | - DeeAnn M. Reeder
- Department of Biology and Program in Animal Behaviour; Bucknell University; Lewisburg; Pennsylvania; 17837; USA
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