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Harvey-Carroll J, Stevenson TJ, Bussière LF, Spencer KA. Pre-natal exposure to glucocorticoids causes changes in developmental circadian clock gene expression and post-natal behaviour in the Japanese quail. Horm Behav 2024; 163:105562. [PMID: 38810363 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2024.105562] [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: 02/26/2024] [Revised: 05/11/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024]
Abstract
The embryonic environment is critical in shaping developmental trajectories and consequently post-natal phenotypes. Exposure to elevated stress hormones during this developmental stage is known to alter a variety of post-natal phenotypic traits, and it has been suggested that pre-natal stress can have long term effects on the circadian rhythm of glucocorticoid hormone production. Despite the importance of the circadian system, the potential impact of developmental glucocorticoid exposure on circadian clock genes, has not yet been fully explored. Here, we showed that pre-natal exposure to corticosterone (CORT, a key glucocorticoid) resulted in a significant upregulation of two key hypothalamic circadian clock genes during the embryonic period in the Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica). Altered expression was still present 10 days into post-natal life for both genes, but then disappeared by post-natal day 28. At post-natal day 28, however, diel rhythms of eating and resting were influenced by exposure to pre-natal CORT. Males exposed to pre-natal CORT featured an earlier acrophase, alongside spending a higher proportion of time feeding. Females exposed to pre-natal CORT featured a less pronounced shift in acrophase and spent less time eating. Both males and females exposed to pre-natal CORT spent less time inactive during the day. Pre-natal CORT males appeared to feature a delay in peak activity levels. Our novel data suggest that these circadian clock genes and aspects of diurnal behaviours are highly susceptible to glucocorticoid disruption during embryonic development, and these effects are persistent across developmental stages, at least into early post-natal life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Harvey-Carroll
- School of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of St Andrews, Scotland; Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences & Gothenburg Global Biodiversity Centre, University of Gothenburg, Sweden.
| | - Tyler J Stevenson
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health & Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - Luc F Bussière
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences & Gothenburg Global Biodiversity Centre, University of Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Karen A Spencer
- School of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of St Andrews, Scotland
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Reda GK, Ndunguru SF, Csernus B, Lugata JK, Knop R, Szabó C, Czeglédi L, Lendvai ÁZ. Sex-specific effects of dietary restriction on physiological variables in Japanese quails. Ecol Evol 2024; 14:e11405. [PMID: 38799393 PMCID: PMC11116846 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.11405] [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: 11/22/2023] [Revised: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Nutritional limitation is a common phenomenon in nature that leads to trade-offs among processes competing for limited resources. These trade-offs are mediated by changes in physiological traits such as growth factors and circulating lipids. However, studies addressing the sex-specific effect of nutritional deficiency on these physiological variables are limited in birds. We used dietary restriction to mimic the depletion of resources to various degrees and investigated sex-specific effects on circulating levels of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and triglycerides in Japanese quails (Coturnix japonica) subjected to ad libitum, 20%, 30% or 40% restriction of their daily requirement, for 2 weeks. We also explored the association of both physiological variables with body mass and egg production. While dietary restriction showed no effects on circulating IGF-1, this hormone exhibited a marked sexual difference, with females having 64.7% higher IGF-1 levels than males. Dietary restriction significantly reduced plasma triglyceride levels in both sexes. Females showed more than six-fold higher triglyceride levels than males. Triglyceride levels were positively associated with body mass in females while showed not association in males. Overall, our findings revealed sex-specific expression of physiological variables under dietary restriction conditions, which coincide with body size.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gebrehaweria K. Reda
- Department of Animal Science, Institute of Animal Science, Biotechnology and Nature Conservation, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences and Environmental ManagementUniversity of DebrecenDebrecenHungary
- Doctoral School of Animal ScienceUniversity of DebrecenDebrecenHungary
- Department of Evolutionary Zoology and Human Biology, Faculty of Life ScienceUniversity of DebrecenDebrecenHungary
| | - Sawadi F. Ndunguru
- Department of Animal Science, Institute of Animal Science, Biotechnology and Nature Conservation, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences and Environmental ManagementUniversity of DebrecenDebrecenHungary
- Doctoral School of Animal ScienceUniversity of DebrecenDebrecenHungary
- Department of Evolutionary Zoology and Human Biology, Faculty of Life ScienceUniversity of DebrecenDebrecenHungary
| | - Brigitta Csernus
- Department of Evolutionary Zoology and Human Biology, Faculty of Life ScienceUniversity of DebrecenDebrecenHungary
| | - James K. Lugata
- Doctoral School of Animal ScienceUniversity of DebrecenDebrecenHungary
- Department of Animal Nutrition and Physiology, Faculty of Agriculture and Food Sciences and Environmental ManagementUniversity of DebrecenDebrecenHungary
| | - Renáta Knop
- Department of Animal Science, Institute of Animal Science, Biotechnology and Nature Conservation, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences and Environmental ManagementUniversity of DebrecenDebrecenHungary
| | - Csaba Szabó
- Department of Animal Nutrition and Physiology, Faculty of Agriculture and Food Sciences and Environmental ManagementUniversity of DebrecenDebrecenHungary
| | - Levente Czeglédi
- Department of Animal Science, Institute of Animal Science, Biotechnology and Nature Conservation, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences and Environmental ManagementUniversity of DebrecenDebrecenHungary
| | - Ádám Z. Lendvai
- Department of Evolutionary Zoology and Human Biology, Faculty of Life ScienceUniversity of DebrecenDebrecenHungary
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Reda GK, Ndunguru SF, Csernus B, Knop R, Lugata JK, Szabó C, Czeglédi L, Lendvai ÁZ. Dietary restriction reveals sex-specific expression of the mTOR pathway genes in Japanese quails. Sci Rep 2024; 14:8314. [PMID: 38594358 PMCID: PMC11004124 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-58487-9] [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: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Limited resources affect an organism's physiology through the conserved metabolic pathway, the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR). Males and females often react differently to nutritional limitation, but whether it leads to differential mTOR pathway expression remains unknown. Recently, we found that dietary restriction (DR) induced significant changes in the expression of mTOR pathway genes in female Japanese quails (Coturnix japonica). We simultaneously exposed 32 male and female Japanese quails to either 20%, 30%, 40% restriction or ad libitum feeding for 14 days and determined the expression of six key genes of the mTOR pathway in the liver to investigate sex differences in the expression patterns. We found that DR significantly reduced body mass, albeit the effect was milder in males compared to females. We observed sex-specific liver gene expression. DR downregulated mTOR expression more in females than in males. Under moderate DR, ATG9A and RPS6K1 expressions were increased more in males than in females. Like females, body mass in males was correlated positively with mTOR and IGF1, but negatively with ATG9A and RS6K1 expressions. Our findings highlight that sexes may cope with nutritional deficits differently and emphasise the importance of considering sexual differences in studies of dietary restriction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gebrehaweria K Reda
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences and Environmental Management, Institute of Animal Science, Biotechnology and Nature Conservation, University of Debrecen, 4032, Debrecen, Hungary.
- Doctoral School of Animal Science, University of Debrecen, 4032, Debrecen, Hungary.
- Department of Evolutionary Zoology and Human Biology, University of Debrecen, 4032, Debrecen, Hungary.
| | - Sawadi F Ndunguru
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences and Environmental Management, Institute of Animal Science, Biotechnology and Nature Conservation, University of Debrecen, 4032, Debrecen, Hungary
- Doctoral School of Animal Science, University of Debrecen, 4032, Debrecen, Hungary
- Department of Evolutionary Zoology and Human Biology, University of Debrecen, 4032, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Brigitta Csernus
- Department of Evolutionary Zoology and Human Biology, University of Debrecen, 4032, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Renáta Knop
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences and Environmental Management, Institute of Animal Science, Biotechnology and Nature Conservation, University of Debrecen, 4032, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - James K Lugata
- Doctoral School of Animal Science, University of Debrecen, 4032, Debrecen, Hungary
- Department of Animal Nutrition and Physiology, Faculty of Agriculture and Food Sciences and Environmental Management, University of Debrecen, 4032, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Csaba Szabó
- Department of Animal Nutrition and Physiology, Faculty of Agriculture and Food Sciences and Environmental Management, University of Debrecen, 4032, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Levente Czeglédi
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences and Environmental Management, Institute of Animal Science, Biotechnology and Nature Conservation, University of Debrecen, 4032, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Ádám Z Lendvai
- Department of Evolutionary Zoology and Human Biology, University of Debrecen, 4032, Debrecen, Hungary
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Martin T, Bauer B, Baier V, Paini A, Schaller S, Hubbard P, Ebeling M, Heckmann D, Gergs A. Reproductive toxicity in birds predicted by physiologically-based kinetics and bioenergetics modelling. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 912:169096. [PMID: 38092208 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.169096] [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: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 11/25/2023] [Accepted: 12/02/2023] [Indexed: 12/22/2023]
Abstract
Effects on the growth and reproduction of birds are important endpoints in the environmental risk assessment (ERA) of pesticides. Toxicokinetic-toxicodynamic models based on dynamic energy budget theory (DEB) are promising tools to predict these effects mechanistically and make extrapolations relevant to ERA. However, before DEB-TKTD models are accepted as part of ERA for birds, ecotoxicological case studies are required so that stakeholders can assess their capabilities. We present such a case-study, modelling the effects of the fluopyram metabolite benzamide on the northern bobwhite quail (Colinus virginianus). We parametrised a DEB-TKTD model for the embryo stage on the basis of an egg injection study, designed to provide data for model development. We found that information on various endpoints, such as survival, growth, and yolk utilisation were needed to clearly distinguish between the performance of model variants with different TKTD assumptions. The calibration data were best explained when it was assumed that chemical uptake occurs via the yolk and that benzamide places stress on energy assimilation and mobilisation. To be able to bridge from the in vitro tests to real-life exposure, we developed a physiologically-based toxicokinetic (PBK) model for the quail and used it to predict benzamide exposure inside the eggs based on dietary exposure in a standard reproductive toxicity study. We then combined the standard DEB model with the TKTD module calibrated to the egg injection studies and used it to predict effects on hatchling and 14-day chick weight based on the exposure predicted by the PBK model. Observed weight reductions, relative to controls, were accurately predicted. Thus, we demonstrate that DEB-TKTD models, in combination with suitable experimental data and, if necessary, with an exposure model, can be used in bird ERA to predict chemical effects on reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Martin
- Rifcon GmbH, Goldbeckstraße 13, 69493 Hirschberg an der Bergstraße, Germany.
| | - Barbara Bauer
- Rifcon GmbH, Goldbeckstraße 13, 69493 Hirschberg an der Bergstraße, Germany
| | - Vanessa Baier
- esqLABS GmbH, Hambierich 34, 26683 Saterland, Germany
| | - Alicia Paini
- esqLABS GmbH, Hambierich 34, 26683 Saterland, Germany
| | | | | | | | | | - André Gergs
- Bayer AG, Crop Science Division, Monheim, Germany
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Romoli C, Jager T, Trijau M, Goussen B, Gergs A. Environmental Risk Assessment with Energy Budget Models: A Comparison Between Two Models of Different Complexity. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2024; 43:440-449. [PMID: 38051527 DOI: 10.1002/etc.5795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023]
Abstract
The extrapolation of effects from controlled standard laboratory tests to real environmental conditions is a major challenge facing ecological risk assessment (ERA) of chemicals. Toxicokinetic-toxicodynamic (TKTD) models, such as those based on dynamic energy budget (DEB) theory, can play an important role in filling this gap. Through the years, different practical TKTD models have been derived from DEB theory, ranging from the full "standard" DEB animal model to simplified "DEBtox" models. It is currently unclear what impact a different level of model complexity can have on the regulatory risk assessment. In the present study, we compare the performance of two DEB-TKTD models with different levels of complexity, focusing on model calibration on standard test data and on forward predictions for untested time-variable exposure profiles. The first model is based on the standard DEB model with primary parameters, whereas the second is a reduced version with compound parameters, based on DEBkiss. After harmonization of the modeling choices, we demonstrate that these two models can achieve very similar performances both in the calibration step and in the forward prediction step. With the data presented in the present study, selection of the most suitable TKTD model for ERA therefore cannot be based alone on goodness-of-fit or on the precision of model predictions (within current ERA procedures for pesticides) but would likely be based on the trade-off between ease of use and model flexibility. We also stress the importance of modeling choices, such as how to fill gaps in the information content of experimental toxicity data and how to accommodate differences in growth and reproduction between different data sets for the same chemical-species combination. Environ Toxicol Chem 2024;43:440-449. © 2023 ibacon GmbH. Bayer AG and The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.
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Trijau M, Goussen B, Brain R, Maul J, Galic N. Development of a mechanistic model for analyzing avian reproduction data for pesticide risk assessment. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 327:121477. [PMID: 37011778 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.121477] [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: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Mechanistic effect models are increasingly recommended as tools for refining evaluations of risk from exposure to pesticides. In the context of bird and mammal risk assessments, DEB-TKTD models have been recommended for characterizing sublethal effects at lower tiers. However, there are currently no such models. Currently, chronic, multi-generational studies are performed to characterize potential effects of pesticides on avian reproduction, but it is has not been established to what extent results from these studies can inform effect models. Here, a standard Dynamic Energy Budget (DEB) model was extended to account for the avian toxicity endpoints observed in regulatory studies. We linked this new implementation to a toxicological module to capture observed pesticide effects on reproduction via a decreased efficiency of egg production. We analysed ten reproduction studies with five different pesticides conducted with the mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) and the northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus). The new model implementation accurately distinguished between effects on egg production from direct mechanism of toxicity and from food avoidance. Due to the specific nature of regulatory studies, model applicability for risk refinement is currently limited. We provide suggestions for next steps in model development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Trijau
- Ibacon GmbH, Arheilger Weg 17, D-64380, Roßdorf, Germany
| | - Benoit Goussen
- Ibacon GmbH, Arheilger Weg 17, D-64380, Roßdorf, Germany.
| | - Richard Brain
- Syngenta Crop Protection, LLC, Greensboro, NC, 27419, United States
| | - Jonathan Maul
- Syngenta Crop Protection, LLC, Greensboro, NC, 27419, United States
| | - Nika Galic
- Syngenta Crop Protection, LLC, Greensboro, NC, 27419, United States
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Jager T, Goussen B, Gergs A. Using the standard DEB animal model for toxicokinetic-toxicodynamic analysis. Ecol Modell 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2022.110187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
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Marn N, Hudina S, Haberle I, Dobrović A, Klanjšček T. Physiological performance of native and invasive crayfish species in a changing environment: insights from Dynamic Energy Budget models. CONSERVATION PHYSIOLOGY 2022; 10:coac031. [PMID: 35669378 PMCID: PMC9156854 DOI: 10.1093/conphys/coac031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Crayfish are keystone species important for maintaining healthy freshwater ecosystems. Crayfish species native to Europe, such as Astacus astacus and Austropotamobius torrentium, are facing decline and are increasingly endangered by changing climate and invasions of non-native crayfish, such as Pacifastacus leniusculus and Procambarus virginalis. The success of these invasions largely depends on differences in ontogeny between the native species and the invaders and how changes in the environment will affect the ontogeny. Dynamic Energy Budget (DEB) models can be used to investigate such differences because the models capture dependence of metabolism, and therefore ontogeny, on environmental conditions. We develop DEB models for all four species and investigate key elements of ontogeny and metabolism affecting interspecific competition. We then use the DEB models to predict individual growth and reproduction in current and new conditions that are expected to arise from climate change. Although observations suggest that P. leniusculus poses the major threat to native species, our analysis identifies P. virginalis, in spite of its smaller size, as the superior competitor by a large margin-at least when considering metabolism and ontogeny. Our simulations show that climate change is set to increase the competitive edge of P. virginalis even further. Given the prospects of P. virginalis dominance, especially when considering that it is able to withstand and spread at least some crayfish plague strains that severely affect native species, additional research into P. virginalis is necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Marn
- Division for Marine and Environmental Research, Rudjer Boskovic Institute, 10002 Zagreb, Croatia
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia 6009, Australia
| | - Sandra Hudina
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Ines Haberle
- Division for Marine and Environmental Research, Rudjer Boskovic Institute, 10002 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Ana Dobrović
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Tin Klanjšček
- Division for Marine and Environmental Research, Rudjer Boskovic Institute, 10002 Zagreb, Croatia
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