1
|
Armstrong E, Boonekamp J. Does oxidative stress shorten telomeres in vivo? A meta-analysis. Ageing Res Rev 2023; 85:101854. [PMID: 36657619 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2023.101854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Revised: 12/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Telomere attrition is considered a hallmark of ageing. Untangling the proximate causes of telomere attrition may therefore reveal important aspects about the ageing process. In a landmark paper in 2002 Thomas von Zglinicki demonstrated that oxidative stress accelerates telomere attrition in cell culture. In the next 20 years, oxidative stress became firmly embedded into modern theories of ageing and telomere attrition. However, a recent surge of in vivo studies reveals an inconsistent pattern questioning the unequivocal role of oxidative stress in telomere length and telomere attrition (henceforth referred to as telomere dynamics), in living organisms. Here we report the results of the first formal meta-analysis on the association between oxidative stress and telomere dynamics in vivo, representing 37 studies, 4969 individuals, and 18,677 correlational measurements. The overall correlation between oxidative stress markers and telomere dynamics was indistinguishable from zero (r = 0.027). This result was independent of the type of oxidative stress marker, telomere dynamic, or taxonomic group. However, telomere measurement method affected the analysis and the subset of TRF-based studies showed a significant overall correlation (r = 0.09), supporting the prediction that oxidative stress accelerates telomere attrition. The correlation was more pronounced in short-lived species and during the adult life phase, when ageing becomes apparent. We then performed an additional meta-analysis of interventional studies (n = 7) manipulating oxidative stress. This revealed a significant effect of treatment on telomere dynamics (d=0.36). Our findings provide new support for the hypothesis that oxidative stress causes telomere attrition in living organisms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emma Armstrong
- School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom; The Roslin Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush Campus, Midlothian, United Kingdom
| | - Jelle Boonekamp
- School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Ujvari B, Raven N, Madsen T, Klaassen M, Dujon AM, Schultz AG, Nunney L, Lemaître J, Giraudeau M, Thomas F. Telomeres, the loop tying cancer to organismal life-histories. Mol Ecol 2022; 31:6273-6285. [PMID: 35510763 PMCID: PMC9790343 DOI: 10.1111/mec.16488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2021] [Revised: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Recent developments in telomere and cancer evolutionary ecology demonstrate a very complex relationship between the need of tissue repair and controlling the emergence of abnormally proliferating cells. The trade-off is balanced by natural and sexual selection and mediated via both intrinsic and environmental factors. Here, we explore the effects of telomere-cancer dynamics on life history traits and strategies as well as on the cumulative effects of genetic and environmental factors. We show that telomere-cancer dynamics constitute an incredibly complex and multifaceted process. From research to date, it appears that the relationship between telomere length and cancer risk is likely nonlinear with good evidence that both (too) long and (too) short telomeres can be associated with increased cancer risk. The ability and propensity of organisms to respond to the interplay of telomere dynamics and oncogenic processes, depends on the combination of its tissue environments, life history strategies, environmental challenges (i.e., extreme climatic conditions), pressure by predators and pollution, as well as its evolutionary history. Consequently, precise interpretation of telomere-cancer dynamics requires integrative and multidisciplinary approaches. Finally, incorporating information on telomere dynamics and the expression of tumour suppressor genes and oncogenes could potentially provide the synergistic overview that could lay the foundations to study telomere-cancer dynamics at ecosystem levels.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Beata Ujvari
- Centre for Integrative EcologySchool of Life and Environmental SciencesDeakin UniversityGeelongVictoriaAustralia
| | - Nynke Raven
- Centre for Integrative EcologySchool of Life and Environmental SciencesDeakin UniversityGeelongVictoriaAustralia
| | - Thomas Madsen
- Centre for Integrative EcologySchool of Life and Environmental SciencesDeakin UniversityGeelongVictoriaAustralia
| | - Marcel Klaassen
- Centre for Integrative EcologySchool of Life and Environmental SciencesDeakin UniversityGeelongVictoriaAustralia
| | - Antoine M. Dujon
- Centre for Integrative EcologySchool of Life and Environmental SciencesDeakin UniversityGeelongVictoriaAustralia
| | - Aaron G. Schultz
- Centre for Integrative EcologySchool of Life and Environmental SciencesDeakin UniversityGeelongVictoriaAustralia
| | - Leonard Nunney
- Department of Evolution, Ecology and Organismal BiologyUniversity of California, RiversideRiversideCaliforniaUSA
| | - Jean‐François Lemaître
- Université de LyonLyonFrance,Laboratoire de Biométrie et Biologie ÉvolutiveUniversité Lyon 1CNRSUMR5558VilleurbanneFrance
| | - Mathieu Giraudeau
- CREEC/CANECEV (CREES)MIVEGECUnité Mixte de RecherchesIRD 224–CNRS 5290–Université de MontpellierMontpellierFrance,LIENSsUMR 7266 CNRS‐La Rochelle UniversitéLa RochelleFrance
| | - Frédéric Thomas
- CREEC/CANECEV (CREES)MIVEGECUnité Mixte de RecherchesIRD 224–CNRS 5290–Université de MontpellierMontpellierFrance
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Noguera JC, da Silva A, Velando A. Egg corticosterone can stimulate telomerase activity and promote longer telomeres during embryo development. Mol Ecol 2022; 31:6252-6260. [PMID: 33065771 DOI: 10.1111/mec.15694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2020] [Revised: 09/22/2020] [Accepted: 10/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
It is often assumed that the transfer of maternal glucocorticoids (GCs; e.g., corticosterone or cortisol) to offspring is an inevitable cost associated with adverse or stressful conditions experienced by mothers. However, recent evidence indicates that maternal GCs may adaptively programme particular physiological and molecular pathways during development to enhance offspring fitness. In this context, an important mechanism through which maternal GCs may lastingly affect offspring phenotypic quality and survival is via effects on embryo telomerase activity and so on offspring postnatal telomere length. Here, using a field experimental design for which we manipulated the corticosterone content in yellow-legged gull (Larus michahellis) eggs, we show that embryos from corticosterone-injected eggs not only had a higher telomerase activity but also longer telomeres just after hatching. A complementary analysis further revealed that gull hatchlings with longer telomeres had a higher survival probability during the period when most of the chick mortality occurs. Given the important role that telomere length and its restoring mechanisms have on ageing trajectories and disease risk, our findings provide a new mechanistic link by which mothers may presumably shape offspring life-history trajectories and phenotype.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- José Carlos Noguera
- Grupo de Ecología Animal (GEA), Centro de Investigacion Mariña (CIM), Universidad de Vigo, Vigo, 36310, Spain
| | - Alberto da Silva
- Grupo de Ecología Animal (GEA), Centro de Investigacion Mariña (CIM), Universidad de Vigo, Vigo, 36310, Spain
| | - Alberto Velando
- Grupo de Ecología Animal (GEA), Centro de Investigacion Mariña (CIM), Universidad de Vigo, Vigo, 36310, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Kärkkäinen T, Laaksonen T, Burgess M, Cantarero A, Martínez‐Padilla J, Potti J, Moreno J, Thomson RL, Tilgar V, Stier A. Population differences in the length and early-life dynamics of telomeres among European pied flycatchers. Mol Ecol 2022; 31:5966-5978. [PMID: 34875134 PMCID: PMC9788103 DOI: 10.1111/mec.16312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Revised: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Telomere length and shortening rate are increasingly being used as biomarkers for long-term costs in ecological and evolutionary studies because of their relationships with survival and fitness. Both early-life conditions and growth, and later-life stressors can create variation in telomere shortening rate. Studies on between-population telomere length and dynamics are scarce, despite the expectation that populations exposed to varying environmental constraints would present divergent telomere length patterns. The pied flycatcher (Ficedula hypoleuca) is a passerine bird breeding across Eurasia (from Spain to western Siberia) and migrating through the Iberian Peninsula to spend the nonbreeding period in sub-Saharan Africa. Thus, different populations show marked differences in migration distance. We studied the large-scale variation of telomere length and early-life dynamics in the pied flycatcher by comparing six European populations across a north-south gradient (Finland, Estonia, England and Spain) predicting a negative effect of migration distance on adult telomere length, and of nestling growth on nestling telomere dynamics. There were clear population differences in telomere length, with English birds from midlatitudes having the longest telomeres. Telomere length did not thus show consistent latitudinal variation and was not linearly linked to differences in migration distance. Early-life telomere shortening rate tended to vary between populations. Fast growth was associated with shorter telomeres in the early life, but faster nestling growth affected telomeres more negatively in northern than southern populations. While the sources of between-population differences in telomere-related biology remain to be more intensively studied, our study illustrates the need to expand telomere studies at the between-population level.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Malcolm Burgess
- RSPB Centre for Conservation ScienceSandyUK,Centre for Research in Animal BehaviourUniversity of ExeterExeterUK
| | - Alejandro Cantarero
- Department of BiologyUniversity of TurkuTurkuFinland,Department of Evolutionary EcologyMuseo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (CSIC)MadridSpain
| | - Jesús Martínez‐Padilla
- Department of Biological Conservation and Ecosystem RestorationPyrenean Institute of Ecology (CSIC)JacaSpain
| | - Jaime Potti
- Department of Evolutionary EcologyEstación Biológica de Doñana (CSIC)SevilleSpain
| | - Juan Moreno
- Department of Evolutionary EcologyMuseo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (CSIC)MadridSpain
| | - Robert L. Thomson
- Department of BiologyUniversity of TurkuTurkuFinland,Department of Biological SciencesUniversity of Cape TownRondeboschSouth Africa,FitzPatrick Institute of African OrnithologyDST‐NRF Centre of ExcellenceUniversity of Cape TownRondeboschSouth Africa
| | - Vallo Tilgar
- Department of ZoologyInstitute of Ecology and Earth SciencesUniversity of TartuTartuEstonia
| | - Antoine Stier
- Department of BiologyUniversity of TurkuTurkuFinland,Univ LyonUniversité Claude Bernard Lyon 1CNRSENTPEUMR 5023 LEHNAVilleurbanneFrance
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Ruiz-Raya F, Velando A. Sunlight and lifestyle: linking prenatal light conditions and personality development in a wild bird. Anim Behav 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2022.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
|
6
|
Noguera JC, Velando A. Maternal testosterone affects offspring telomerase activity in a long-lived seabird. Ecol Evol 2022; 12:e9281. [PMID: 36110870 PMCID: PMC9465397 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.9281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Revised: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Androgens are a group of steroid hormones that have long been proposed as a mechanism underpinning intergenerational plasticity. In birds, maternally allocated egg testosterone, one of the main androgens in vertebrates, affects a wide variety of offspring phenotypic traits but the mechanisms underlying this form of intergenerational plasticity are not yet well understood. Recent in vitro and animal model studies have shown that telomerase expression and activity are important targets of androgen signaling. The telomerase enzyme is known for its repair function on telomeres, the DNA-protein complexes at the ends of chromosomes that are involved in genomic integrity and cell aging. However, the role of maternal testosterone in influencing offspring telomerase levels in natural populations and its consequences on telomere length and potentially on offspring development is still unknown. Here, by experimentally modifying the level of egg testosterone in a natural population of yellow-legged gull (Larus michahellis), we show that chicks hatched from testosterone-treated eggs had higher average levels of telomerase and faster growth than controls during the first week of life. While testosterone-treated chicks also tended to have longer telomeres than controls at hatching this difference disappeared by day 6 of age. Overall, our results suggest that maternal testosterone may have a potential adaptive value by promoting offspring growth and presumably telomerase levels, as this enzyme plays other important physiological functions (e.g., stress resistance, cell signaling, or tissue genesis) besides telomere lengthening. Nonetheless, our knowledge of the potential adaptive function of telomerase in natural populations is scarce and so the potential pathways linking maternal hormones, offspring telomerase, and fitness should be further investigated.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jose C. Noguera
- Grupo de Ecología Animal (GEA), Centro de Investigación Marina (CIM)Universidad de VigoVigoSpain
| | - Alberto Velando
- Grupo de Ecología Animal (GEA), Centro de Investigación Marina (CIM)Universidad de VigoVigoSpain
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Ruiz-Raya F, Noguera JC, Velando A. Light received by embryos promotes postnatal junior phenotypes in a seabird. Behav Ecol 2022. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/arac079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Light is a salient and variable ecological factor that can impact developmental trajectories of vertebrate embryos, yet whether prenatal light environment can act as an anticipatory cue preparing organisms to cope with postnatal conditions is still unclear. In asynchronous birds, last-laid eggs are particularly exposed to sunlight as parental incubation behavior becomes intermittent after the hatching of senior chicks. Here, we explore whether natural variations in prenatal light exposure shape the distinctive phenotype showed by last-hatched chicks of a semi-precocial seabird, the yellow-legged gull (Larus michahellis), potentially preparing them to cope with the postnatal competitive context. To do this, we manipulated the amount of light received by last-laid eggs (within a natural range) during last stages of embryonic development. Prenatal exposure to light cues promoted the development of the resilient “junior phenotype” exhibited by last-hatched gull chicks, characterized by accelerated hatching, increased begging behavior and a slower growth rate. These developmental and behavioral adjustments were accompanied by down-regulation of genes involved in metabolism and development regulation (SOD2 and TRalpha), as well as changes in the HPA-axis functioning (lower baseline corticosterone and robust adrenocortical response). Junior chicks exposed to light cues during the embryonic development showed longer telomeres during the early postnatal period, suggesting that light-induced adjustments could allow them to buffer the competitive disadvantages associated with hatching asynchrony. Our study provides evidence that postnatal junior phenotypes are, at least in part, prenatally shaped by light cues that act during a critical temporal window of developmental sensitivity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Francisco Ruiz-Raya
- Centro de Investigación Mariña, Universidade de Vigo, Grupo de Ecoloxía Animal , Vigo 36310 , Spain
| | - Jose C Noguera
- Centro de Investigación Mariña, Universidade de Vigo, Grupo de Ecoloxía Animal , Vigo 36310 , Spain
| | - Alberto Velando
- Centro de Investigación Mariña, Universidade de Vigo, Grupo de Ecoloxía Animal , Vigo 36310 , Spain
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Does the Urban Environment Act as a Filter on the Individual Quality of Birds? BIRDS 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/birds3010007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Phenotypic divergences of birds are common between urban and natural habitats and can result from different selective pressures between habitats or maladaptation to the city. No uniform patterns were observed, especially concerning markers of bird health, such as, for example, telomere length. Telomeres are involved in maintaining genome integrity and naturally shorten with age, but environmental stressors can accelerate their attrition. Thus, telomere length can be an indicator of individual quality. Some studies showed that urban breeders had longer telomeres than forest individuals. Two hypotheses can explain this result: (1) urban breeders are younger than forests breeders, and (2) cities act as a filter on individuals and only high-quality birds can successfully reproduce. In this context, we compared the age category (molting pattern) and morphological and physiological characteristics of urban and forest Great Tits before and during breeding. No differences in age or body condition were observed. However, urban breeders were smaller and had shorter telomeres than birds captured in winter. Urban birds had longer telomeres than forest birds, only in winter. These results highlight that urban habitats potentially favor smaller birds. However, the decrease in telomere length between winter and reproduction only in the city suggest a higher cost of reproduction in the city compared to the forest.
Collapse
|
9
|
Velando A, Noguera JC, Aira M, Domínguez J. Gut microbiome and telomere length in gull hatchlings. Biol Lett 2021; 17:20210398. [PMID: 34637637 DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2021.0398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
In many animals, recent evidence indicates that the gut microbiome may be acquired during early development, with possible consequences on newborns' health. Thus, it has been hypothesized that a healthy microbiome protects telomeres and genomic integrity against cellular stress. However, the link between the early acquired microbiome and telomere dynamics has not hitherto been investigated. In birds, this link may also be potentially modulated by the transfer of maternal glucocorticoids, since these substances dysregulate microbiome composition during postnatal development. Here, we examined the effect of the interplay between the microbiome and stress hormones on the telomere length of yellow-legged gull hatchlings by using a field experiment in which we manipulated the corticosterone content in eggs. We found that the hatchling telomere length was related to microbiome composition, but this relationship was not affected by the corticosterone treatment. Hatchlings with a microbiome dominated by potential commensal bacteria (i.e. Catellicoccus and Cetobacterium) had larger telomeres, suggesting that an early establishment of the species-specific microbiome during development may have important consequences on offspring health and survival.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Velando
- Grupo de Ecoloxía Animal (GEA), Centro de Investigación Mariña, Universidade de Vigo, Vigo, Spain
| | - Jose Carlos Noguera
- Grupo de Ecoloxía Animal (GEA), Centro de Investigación Mariña, Universidade de Vigo, Vigo, Spain
| | - Manuel Aira
- Grupo de Ecoloxía Animal (GEA), Centro de Investigación Mariña, Universidade de Vigo, Vigo, Spain
| | - Jorge Domínguez
- Grupo de Ecoloxía Animal (GEA), Centro de Investigación Mariña, Universidade de Vigo, Vigo, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Noguera JC, Velando A. Telomerase activity can mediate the effects of growth on telomeres during post-natal development in a wild bird. J Exp Biol 2021; 224:269201. [PMID: 34142138 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.242465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
In wild animals, telomere attrition during early development has been linked with several fitness disadvantages throughout life. Telomerase enzyme can elongate telomeres, but it is generally assumed that its activity is suppressed in most somatic tissues upon birth. However, recent evidence suggests that this may not be the case for long-lived bird species. We have therefore investigated whether telomerase activity is maintained during the postnatal growth period in a wild yellow-legged gull (Larus michahellis) population. Our results indicate that telomerase activity is not negligible in the blood cells, but activity levels sharply decline from hatching to fledging following a similar pattern to the reduction observed in telomere length. Our results further suggest that the observed variation in telomere length may be the result of a negative effect of fast growth on telomerase activity, thus providing a new mechanism through which growth rates may affect telomere dynamics and potentially life-history trajectories.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jose C Noguera
- Grupo de Ecología Animal (GEA), Centro de Investigacion Mariña (CIM), Universidad de Vigo, Vigo 36310, Spain
| | - Alberto Velando
- Grupo de Ecología Animal (GEA), Centro de Investigacion Mariña (CIM), Universidad de Vigo, Vigo 36310, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Fitzpatrick LJ, Olsson M, Pauliny A, While GM, Wapstra E. Individual telomere dynamics and their links to life history in a viviparous lizard. Proc Biol Sci 2021; 288:20210271. [PMID: 34034513 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2021.0271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Emerging patterns suggest telomere dynamics and life history are fundamentally linked in endotherms through life-history traits that mediate the processes underlying telomere attrition. Unlike endotherms, ectotherms maintain the ability to lengthen somatic telomeres throughout life and the link between life-history strategies and ectotherm telomere dynamics is unknown. In a well-characterized model system (Niveoscincus ocellatus), we used long-term longitudinal data to study telomere dynamics across climatically divergent populations. We found longer telomeres in individuals from the cool highlands than those from the warm lowlands at birth and as adults. The key determinant of adult telomere length across populations was telomere length at birth, with population-specific effects of age and growth on adult telomere length. The reproductive effort had no proximate effect on telomere length in either population. Maternal factors influenced telomere length at birth in the warm lowlands but not the cool highlands. Our results demonstrate that life-history traits can have pervasive and context-dependent effects on telomere dynamics in ectotherms both within and between populations. We argue that these telomere dynamics may reflect the populations' different life histories, with the slow-growing cool highland population investing more into telomere lengthening compared to the earlier-maturing warm lowland population.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- L J Fitzpatrick
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
| | - M Olsson
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - A Pauliny
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - G M While
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
| | - E Wapstra
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Noguera JC, Velando A. Gull chicks grow faster but lose telomeres when prenatal cues mismatch the real presence of sibling competitors. Proc Biol Sci 2020; 287:20200242. [PMID: 32429809 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2020.0242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
During embryonic life, individuals should adjust their phenotype to the conditions that they will encounter after birth, including the social environment, if they have access to (social) cues that allow them to forecast future conditions. In birds, evidence indicates that embryos are sensitive to cues from clutch mates, but whether embryos adjust their development to cope with the expected level of sibling competition has not hitherto been investigated. To tackle this question, we performed a 'match versus mismatch' experimental design where we manipulated the presence of clutch mates (i.e. clutch size manipulation) and the real (postnatal) level of sibling competition (i.e. brood size manipulation) in the yellow-legged gull (Larus michahellis). We provide evidence that the prenatal cues of sibling presence induced developmental changes (such as epigenetic profiles) that had programming effects on chick begging behaviour and growth trajectories after hatching. While receiving mismatching information favoured chick begging and growth, this came at the cost of reduced antioxidant defences and a premature loss of telomeres. Our findings highlight the role of the prenatal social environment in developmental plasticity and suggest that telomere attrition may be an important physiological cost of phenotype-environment mismatch.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jose C Noguera
- Grupo de Ecología Animal (GEA), Dpto. de Ecología y Biología Animal, Universidad de Vigo, Vigo 36310, Spain
| | - Alberto Velando
- Grupo de Ecología Animal (GEA), Dpto. de Ecología y Biología Animal, Universidad de Vigo, Vigo 36310, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Azcárate-García M, Ruiz-Rodríguez M, Díaz-Lora S, Ruiz-Castellano C, Martín-Vivaldi M, Figuerola J, Martínez-de la Puente J, Tomás G, Pérez-Contreras T, Soler JJ. Ornamental Throat Feathers Predict Telomere Dynamic and Hatching Success in Spotless Starling (Sturnus unicolor) Males. Front Ecol Evol 2020. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2019.00520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
|
14
|
Sabat P, Bozinovic F, Contreras-Ramos C, Nespolo RF, Newsome SD, Quirici V, Maldonado K, Peña-Villalobos I, Ramirez-Otarola N, Sanchez-Hernandez JC. The interplay between ambient temperature and salt intake affects oxidative status and immune responses in a ubiquitous Neotropical passerine, the rufous-collared sparrow. Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 2019; 234:50-59. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2019.04.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2019] [Revised: 03/30/2019] [Accepted: 04/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
|
15
|
Pérez-Rodríguez L, Redondo T, Ruiz-Mata R, Camacho C, Moreno-Rueda G, Potti J. Vitamin E Supplementation—But Not Induced Oxidative Stress—Influences Telomere Dynamics During Early Development in Wild Passerines. Front Ecol Evol 2019. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2019.00173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
|
16
|
Noguera JC, Velando A. Reduced telomere length in embryos exposed to predator cues. J Exp Biol 2019; 222:jeb.216176. [DOI: 10.1242/jeb.216176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2019] [Accepted: 11/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
It is often assumed that embryos are isolated from external influences, but recent studies indicate that environmental stressors during prenatal stages can exert long-term negative effects on fitness. A potential mechanism by which predation risk may lastingly shape life-history traits and phenotypes is via effects on telomeres. However, whether prenatal exposition to environmental stressors, such as cues of predator presence, affects postnatal telomere length has not hitherto been investigated. Using an experimental design in which we modified the exposure of yellow-legged gull (Larus michahellis) embryos to social cues of predator presence (i.e. alarm calls), we show that prenatally exposed chicks had shorter telomeres after hatching. Since young birds with shorter telomere length have reduced fledging success, reproductive success and lifespan, the reduced telomere length in the exposed chicks is likely to have long-term fitness consequences. Moreover, our results provide a mechanistic link through which predators may negatively affect population dynamics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jose C. Noguera
- Grupo de Ecología Animal (GEA), Dpto. de Ecología y Biología Animal, Universidad de Vigo, Vigo 36310, Spain
| | - Alberto Velando
- Grupo de Ecología Animal (GEA), Dpto. de Ecología y Biología Animal, Universidad de Vigo, Vigo 36310, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Gil D, Alfonso-Iñiguez S, Pérez-Rodríguez L, Muriel J, Monclús R. Harsh conditions during early development influence telomere length in an altricial passerine: Links with oxidative stress and corticosteroids. J Evol Biol 2018; 32:111-125. [PMID: 30387533 DOI: 10.1111/jeb.13396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2016] [Revised: 10/15/2018] [Accepted: 10/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Stress during early development can induce substantial long-term effects in organisms. In the case of birds, despite growth compensations, nestlings reared under harsh conditions typically show reduced survival chances in adulthood. It has been proposed that environmental early-life stressors could affect longevity via effects on telomere length, possibly mediated through oxidative stress. However, the link between these processes is not clear. In this study, we experimentally manipulated brood size in spotless starlings (Sturnus unicolor) to test the causal relationship between early stress, oxidative and corticosterone-mediated stress and telomere shortening. Our results show that experimentally enlarged brood sizes led to a reduction in morphometric development on nestlings, the effect being stronger for females than males. Additionally, basal corticosterone levels increased with increasing brood size in female nestlings. Neither plasma antioxidant status nor malondialdehyde levels (a marker of lipid peroxidation) were affected by experimental brood size, although the levels of a key intracellular antioxidant (glutathione) decreased with increasing brood size. We found that the treatment showed a quadratic effect on nestling telomere lengths: these were shortened either by increases or by decreases in the original brood size. Our study provides experimental evidence for a link between developmental stress and telomere length, but does not support a direct causal link of this reduction with corticosterone or oxidative stress. We suggest that future studies should focus on how telomere length responds to additional markers of allostatic load.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Diego Gil
- Departamento de Ecología Evolutiva, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (MNCN-CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Sergio Alfonso-Iñiguez
- Departamento de Ecología Evolutiva, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (MNCN-CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Lorenzo Pérez-Rodríguez
- Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos, IREC (CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Jaime Muriel
- Departamento de Anatomía, Biología Celular y Zoología, Universidad de Extremadura, Badajoz, Spain
| | - Raquel Monclús
- Ecologie Systématique Evolution, University of Paris-Sud, CNRS, AgroParisTech, Université Paris-Saclay, Orsay, France
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Parolini M, Possenti CD, Romano A, Caprioli M, Rubolini D, Saino N. Physiological increase of yolk testosterone level does not affect oxidative status and telomere length in gull hatchlings. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0206503. [PMID: 30365552 PMCID: PMC6203383 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0206503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2018] [Accepted: 10/15/2018] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Conditions experienced during early-life can cause the onset of oxidative stress, resulting in pervasive effects on diverse life-history traits, including lifespan. In birds, maternally-transferred egg substances may exert positive or negative influence over the offspring phenotype. Among these, testosterone can upregulate the bioavailability of certain antioxidants but simultaneously promotes the production of pro-oxidants, leading to an oxidative stress situation, which is one of the main forces causing telomere attrition However, no study has investigated the role of this androgen on telomere dynamics in birds and little is known about the effects of yolk testosterone on oxidative status in early-life of these species. We physiologically increased the levels of yolk testosterone by in ovo injections in yellow-legged gull (Larus michahellis) to evaluate the effects induced by this androgen on hatchlings plasma total antioxidant capacity, amount of pro-oxidant molecules and telomere length at hatching. Testosterone supplementation did not increase hatchling body growth, did not result in the overproduction of pro-oxidant molecules nor a reduction of antioxidant capacity. Accordingly, telomere length at hatching was not affected by testosterone treatment, although hatchlings from the third-laid eggs showed shorter telomeres than their siblings from first- and second-laid eggs, independently of testosterone treatment. Our results suggest that injection of physiological levels of testosterone does not induce oxidative stress to hatchlings and, consequently do not affect telomere dynamics during early post-natal periods.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marco Parolini
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- * E-mail:
| | | | - Andrea Romano
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Manuela Caprioli
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Diego Rubolini
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Nicola Saino
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Mazidi M, Kengne AP, Cheskin LJ, Banach M. Serum lipophilic antioxidants levels are associated with leucocyte telomere length among US adults. Lipids Health Dis 2018; 17:164. [PMID: 30029639 PMCID: PMC6054751 DOI: 10.1186/s12944-018-0781-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2017] [Accepted: 05/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND To examine the association between serum concentrations of antioxidant and telomere length (TL) in U.S adults. METHODS Participants of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) with data available on TL measures from 2001 to 2002 were included. Serum lipophilic antioxidants level was measured using high performance liquid chromatography with photodiode array detection. We used analysis of co-variance and multivariable-adjusted linear regression models, accounting for the survey design and sample weights. RESULTS Of the 5992 eligible participants, 47.5% (n = 2844) were men. The mean age was 46.9 years overall, 47.2 years in men and 46.6 in women (p = 0.071). In age, sex, race, education, marital status, adiposity, smoking, C-reactive protein adjusted linear regressions, antioxidant, serum α-carotene, trans-β-carotene, cis- β-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin and combined Lutein/zeaxanthin were positively and significantly associated with TL (all p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Our findings support a possible positive association between serum concentrations of lipophylic antioxidant and TL. The implications of this association deserve further investigation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mohsen Mazidi
- Department of Biology and Biological Engineering, Food and Nutrition Science, Chalmers University of Technology, SE-412 96, Gothenburg, Sweden.
| | - Andre Pascal Kengne
- Non-Communicable Disease Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council and University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - L J Cheskin
- Department of Health, Johns Hopkins Weight Management Center Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Global Obesity Prevention Center at Johns Hopkins University, International Health/Human Nutrition, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Maciej Banach
- Department of Hypertension, Chair of Nephrology and Hypertension, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland.,Polish Mother's Memorial Hospital Research Institute (PMMHRI), Lodz, Poland.,Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Zielona-Gora, Zielona Gora, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Reichert S, Stier A. Does oxidative stress shorten telomeres in vivo? A review. Biol Lett 2018; 13:rsbl.2017.0463. [PMID: 29212750 DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2017.0463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 212] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2017] [Accepted: 11/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The length of telomeres, the protective caps of chromosomes, is increasingly used as a biomarker of individual health state because it has been shown to predict chances of survival in a range of endothermic species including humans. Oxidative stress is presumed to be a major cause of telomere shortening, but most evidence to date comes from in vitro cultured cells. The importance of oxidative stress as a determinant of telomere shortening in vivo remains less clear and has recently been questioned. We, therefore, reviewed correlative and experimental studies investigating the links between oxidative stress and telomere shortening in vivo While correlative studies provide equivocal support for a connection between oxidative stress and telomere attrition (10 of 18 studies), most experimental studies published so far (seven of eight studies) partially or fully support this hypothesis. Yet, this link seems to be tissue-dependent in some cases, or restricted to particular categories of individual (e.g. sex-dependent) in other cases. More experimental studies, especially those decreasing antioxidant protection or increasing pro-oxidant generation, are required to further our understanding of the importance of oxidative stress in determining telomere length in vivo Studies comparing growing versus adult individuals, or proliferative versus non-proliferative tissues would provide particularly important insights.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Reichert
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.,Department of Animal and Plant Science, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Antoine Stier
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Noguera JC, Metcalfe NB, Monaghan P. Experimental demonstration that offspring fathered by old males have shorter telomeres and reduced lifespans. Proc Biol Sci 2018; 285:20180268. [PMID: 29540524 PMCID: PMC5879639 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2018.0268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Offspring of older parents frequently show reduced longevity, but the mechanisms driving this so-called 'Lansing effect' are unknown. While inheritance of short telomeres from older parents could underlie this effect, studies to date in different species have found mixed results, reporting positive, negative or no association between parental age and offspring telomere length (TL). However, most of the existing evidence is from non-experimental studies in which it is difficult to exclude alternative explanations such as differential survival of parents with different telomere lengths. Here we provide evidence in the zebra finch that offspring from older parents have reduced lifespans. As a first step in disentangling possible causes, we used an experimental approach to examine whether or not we could detect pre-natal paternal effects on offspring TL. We found that zebra finch embryos fathered by old males have shorter telomeres than those produced by the same mothers but with younger fathers. Since variation in embryonic TL persists into post-natal life, and early life TL is predictive of longevity in this species, this experimental study demonstrates that a paternally driven pre-natal TL reduction could at least in part underlie the reduced lifespan of offspring from older parents.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- José C Noguera
- Departamento de Ecología y Biología Animal, Grupo de Ecología Animal, Universidad de Vigo, Torre CACTI, Galicia, Vigo 36310, Spain
- Institute of Biodiversity Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Graham Kerr Building, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Neil B Metcalfe
- Institute of Biodiversity Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Graham Kerr Building, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Pat Monaghan
- Institute of Biodiversity Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Graham Kerr Building, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Monaghan P, Ozanne SE. Somatic growth and telomere dynamics in vertebrates: relationships, mechanisms and consequences. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2018; 373:20160446. [PMID: 29335370 PMCID: PMC5784066 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2016.0446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 140] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/03/2017] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Much telomere loss takes place during the period of most rapid growth when cell proliferation and potentially energy expenditure are high. Fast growth is linked to reduced longevity. Therefore, the effects of somatic cell proliferation on telomere loss and cell senescence might play a significant role in driving the growth-lifespan trade-off. While different species will have evolved a growth strategy that maximizes lifetime fitness, environmental conditions encountered during periods of growth will influence individual optima. In this review, we first discuss the routes by which altered cellular conditions could influence telomere loss in vertebrates, with a focus on oxidative stress in both in vitro and in vivo studies. We discuss the relationship between body growth and telomere length, and evaluate the empirical evidence that this relationship is generally negative. We further discuss the potentially conflicting hypotheses that arise when other factors are taken into account, and the further work that needs to be undertaken to disentangle confounding variables.This article is part of the theme issue 'Understanding diversity in telomere dynamics'.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pat Monaghan
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Graham Kerr Building, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Susan E Ozanne
- Wellcome Trust-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge Metabolic Research Laboratories, Level 4, Box 289, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Saino N, Ambrosini R, Rubolini D, Romano M, Caprioli M, Romano A, Parolini M. Carry-over effects of brood size on morphology, reproduction, and lifespan in barn swallows. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-018-2446-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
|
24
|
McLennan D, Armstrong JD, Stewart DC, McKelvey S, Boner W, Monaghan P, Metcalfe NB. Links between parental life histories of wild salmon and the telomere lengths of their offspring. Mol Ecol 2018; 27:804-814. [DOI: 10.1111/mec.14467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2017] [Revised: 11/13/2017] [Accepted: 11/29/2017] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Darryl McLennan
- Institute of Biodiversity; Animal Health and Comparative Medicine; University of Glasgow; Glasgow UK
| | | | | | - Simon McKelvey
- Cromarty Firth Fishery Trust; CKD Galbraith; Inverness UK
| | - Winnie Boner
- Institute of Biodiversity; Animal Health and Comparative Medicine; University of Glasgow; Glasgow UK
| | - Pat Monaghan
- Institute of Biodiversity; Animal Health and Comparative Medicine; University of Glasgow; Glasgow UK
| | - Neil B. Metcalfe
- Institute of Biodiversity; Animal Health and Comparative Medicine; University of Glasgow; Glasgow UK
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Lardy S, Gasparini J, Corbel H, Frantz A, Perret S, Zahn S, Criscuolo F, Jacquin L. Telomere erosion varies with sex and age at immune challenge but not with maternal antibodies in pigeons. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL ZOOLOGY PART 2018; 327:562-569. [DOI: 10.1002/jez.2142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2017] [Accepted: 12/25/2017] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Lardy
- CEFE; CNRS; Université de Montpellier; France
- Percy FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology; University of Cape Town; Cape Town South Africa
- Biogéoscience; UMR CNRS/uB 6282; Université de Bourgogne; Dijon France
| | - Julien Gasparini
- Sorbonne Universités; UPMC Univ Paris 06; UPEC; Paris 7; CNRS; INRA; IRD; Institut d'Ecologie et des Sciences de l'Environnement de Paris; Paris France
| | - Hélène Corbel
- Sorbonne Universités; UPMC Univ Paris 06; UPEC; Paris 7; CNRS; INRA; IRD; Institut d'Ecologie et des Sciences de l'Environnement de Paris; Paris France
| | - Adrien Frantz
- Sorbonne Universités; UPMC Univ Paris 06; UPEC; Paris 7; CNRS; INRA; IRD; Institut d'Ecologie et des Sciences de l'Environnement de Paris; Paris France
| | - Samuel Perret
- CEFE; CNRS; Université de Montpellier; France
- Centre d'Ecologie Expérimentale et Prédictive CEREEP-Ecotron Ile-De-France CNRS ENS; UMS 3194; Ecole Normale Supérieure; St-Pierre-lès-Nemours; France
| | - Sandrine Zahn
- Université de Strasbourg; Institut Pluridisciplinaire Hubert Curien; CNRS; Strasbourg France
| | - Francois Criscuolo
- Université de Strasbourg; Institut Pluridisciplinaire Hubert Curien; CNRS; Strasbourg France
| | - Lisa Jacquin
- Université de Toulouse; UPS; CNRS; IRD; Laboratoire Evolution Diversité Biologique EDB UMR 5174; Toulouse France
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Morales J, Lucas A, Velando A. Maternal programming of offspring antipredator behavior in a seabird. Behav Ecol 2018. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/arx197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Judith Morales
- Departamento de Ecología Evolutiva, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales-CSIC, José Gutiérrez Abascal 2, Madrid, Spain
| | - Alberto Lucas
- Departamento de Ecoloxía e Bioloxía Animal, Universidade de Vigo, Campus As Lagoas – Marcosende, Vigo, Spain
- Instituto Multidisciplinar para el Estudio del Medio Ramón Margalef Carretera San Vicente del Raspeig s/n, Universitat d’Alacant. Alacant, Spain
| | - Alberto Velando
- Departamento de Ecoloxía e Bioloxía Animal, Universidade de Vigo, Campus As Lagoas – Marcosende, Vigo, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Angelier F, Costantini D, Blévin P, Chastel O. Do glucocorticoids mediate the link between environmental conditions and telomere dynamics in wild vertebrates? A review. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2018; 256:99-111. [PMID: 28705731 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2017.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2017] [Revised: 06/06/2017] [Accepted: 07/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Following the discoveries of telomeres and of their implications in terms of health and ageing, there has been a growing interest into the study of telomere dynamics in wild vertebrates. Telomeres are repeated sequences of non-coding DNA located at the terminal ends of chromosomes and they play a major role in maintaining chromosome stability. Importantly, telomeres shorten over time and shorter telomeres seem to be related with lower survival in vertebrates. Because of this potential link with longevity, it is crucial to understand not only the ecological determinants of telomere dynamics but also the regulatory endocrine mechanisms that may mediate the effect of the environment on telomeres. In this paper, we review the relationships that link environmental conditions, glucocorticoids (GC, the main hormonal mediator of allostasis) and telomere length in vertebrates. First, we review current knowledge about the determinants of inter-individual variations in telomere length. We emphasize the potential strong impact of environmental stressors and predictable life-history events on telomere dynamics. Despite recent progress, we still lack crucial basic data to fully understand the costs of several life-history stages and biotic and abiotic factors on telomere length. Second, we review the link that exists between GCs, oxidative stress and telomere dynamics in vertebrates. Although circulating GC levels may be closely and functionally linked with telomere dynamics, data are still scarce and somewhat contradictory. Further laboratory and field studies are therefore needed not only to better assess the proximate link between GC levels and telomere dynamics, but also to ultimately understand to what extent GCs and telomere length could be informative to measure the fitness costs of specific life-history stages and environmental conditions. Finally, we highlight the importance of exploring the functional links that may exist between coping styles, the GC stress response, and telomere dynamics in a life-history framework. To conclude, we raise new hypotheses regarding the potential of the GC stress response to drive the trade-off between immediate survival and telomere protection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Frédéric Angelier
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé, CNRS-ULR, UMR 7372, Villiers en Bois, France.
| | - David Costantini
- Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, UMR 7221, Paris, France; Behavioural Ecology & Ecophysiology Group, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Pierre Blévin
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé, CNRS-ULR, UMR 7372, Villiers en Bois, France
| | - Olivier Chastel
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé, CNRS-ULR, UMR 7372, Villiers en Bois, France
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Salmón P, Nilsson JF, Nord A, Bensch S, Isaksson C. Urban environment shortens telomere length in nestling great tits, Parus major. Biol Lett 2017; 12:rsbl.2016.0155. [PMID: 27303051 DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2016.0155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2016] [Accepted: 05/17/2016] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Urban environments are expanding rapidly, and with urbanization come both challenges and opportunities for wildlife. Challenges include combating the anthropogenic disturbances such as light, noise and air pollution and lower availability of natural food sources. The benefits are many, including the availability of anthropogenic food sources, breeding boxes and warmer temperatures. Thus, depending on the context, urbanization can have both positive and negative effects on fitness related traits. It is well known that early-life conditions can have lifelong implications on fitness; little is however known about development in urban environments. We reciprocally cross-fostered urban and rural nestling great tits (Parus major L.) to study how growing up in an urban versus rural habitat affected telomere length (TL)-a suggested biomarker of longevity. We show, for the first time, that growing up in an urban environment significantly shortens TL, independently of natal origin (i.e. urban or rural). This implies that the urban environment imposes a challenge to developing birds, with potentially irreversible effects on lifespan.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- P Salmón
- Department of Biology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - J F Nilsson
- Department of Biology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - A Nord
- Department of Biology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - S Bensch
- Department of Biology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - C Isaksson
- Department of Biology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Olsson M, Wapstra E, Friesen CR. Evolutionary ecology of telomeres: a review. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2017; 1422:5-28. [DOI: 10.1111/nyas.13443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2017] [Revised: 06/30/2017] [Accepted: 07/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mats Olsson
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences University of Gothenburg Gothenburg Sweden
- School of Biological Sciences The University of Wollongong Wollongong New South Wales Australia
| | - Erik Wapstra
- School of Biological Sciences University of Tasmania Hobart Tasmania Australia
| | - Christopher R. Friesen
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences University of Sydney Sydney New South Wales Australia
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Telomere length and antioxidant defense associate with parasite-induced retarded growth in wild brown trout. Oecologia 2017; 185:365-374. [PMID: 28900791 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-017-3953-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2017] [Accepted: 09/02/2017] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Early growth conditions can have profound impacts on individuals' development, growth and physiology, with subsequent long-term consequences for individuals' fitness and life expectancy. Telomere length (TL) has been suggested to indicate both individual fitness and life expectancy in wide range of species, as the telomere attrition rate at early age can be accelerated due to exposure to various stressors, including parasites and inflammatory diseases, which increase production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and influence antioxidant (AO) levels. We investigated impacts of Tetracapsuloides bryosalmonae infection, a causative agent of proliferative kidney disease (PKD), on AO status and TL in a natural population of juvenile brown trout (Salmo trutta). The fish with higher parasite load showed more severe kidney hyperplasia, anemia and smaller body size compared to less parasitized fish. Furthermore, fish with severe PKD symptoms had lower SOD-, CAT- and GST activity than fish with milder kidney hyperplasia. However, parasite load was not directly correlated either with AOs or with TL. Smaller fish showed shorter TLs, potentially reflecting lower individual quality. The fish, which were less sensitive to parasite-induced impaired growth, quantified as parasite load-adjusted fork length, showed also longer TLs, lower GR- and GST activity and less GSHtot compared to more sensitive fish. These results provide novel knowledge about the impacts of the PKD in brown trout at the molecular level and support the idea that TL may reflect individual quality and ability to cope with parasitic infections.
Collapse
|
31
|
Assortative mating for telomere length and antioxidant capacity in barn swallows (Hirundo rustica). Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-017-2352-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
|
32
|
Parolini M, Khoriauli L, Possenti CD, Colombo G, Caprioli M, Santagostino M, Nergadze SG, Milzani A, Giulotto E, Saino N. Yolk vitamin E prevents oxidative damage in gull hatchlings. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2017; 4:170098. [PMID: 28573018 PMCID: PMC5451819 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.170098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2017] [Accepted: 05/04/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Oxidative stress experienced during early development can negatively affect diverse life-history traits, and organisms have evolved complex defence systems against its detrimental effects. Bird eggs contain maternally derived exogenous antioxidants that play a major role in embryo protection from oxidative damage, including the negative effects on telomere dynamics. In this study on the yellow-legged gull (Larus michahellis), we manipulated the concentration of vitamin E (VE) in the egg yolk and analysed the consequences on oxidative status markers and telomere length in the hatchlings. This study provides the first experimental evidence that, contrary to the expectation, a physiological increase in yolk VE concentration boosted total antioxidant capacity and reduced the concentration of pro-oxidant molecules in the plasma, but did not reduce telomere attrition or ameliorate oxidative damage to proteins and lipids in the early postnatal period.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marco Parolini
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, via Celoria 26, I-20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Lela Khoriauli
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Pavia, via Ferrata 1, I-27100 Pavia, Italy
| | | | - Graziano Colombo
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, via Celoria 26, I-20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Manuela Caprioli
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, via Celoria 26, I-20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Marco Santagostino
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Pavia, via Ferrata 1, I-27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Solomon G. Nergadze
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Pavia, via Ferrata 1, I-27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Aldo Milzani
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, via Celoria 26, I-20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Elena Giulotto
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Pavia, via Ferrata 1, I-27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Nicola Saino
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, via Celoria 26, I-20133 Milan, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Taff CC, Freeman-Gallant CR. Sexual signals reflect telomere dynamics in a wild bird. Ecol Evol 2017; 7:3436-3442. [PMID: 28515879 PMCID: PMC5433972 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.2948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2017] [Revised: 02/20/2017] [Accepted: 03/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Telomere dynamics in natural populations have been linked to survival, reproduction, and energetic investment. Given their putative role in mediating life-history trade-offs, telomeres are also a likely candidate for maintaining honesty in sexually selected signals; few studies to date, however, have demonstrated a correlation between sexual signals and telomere dynamics. Here, we show that plumage coloration in male common yellowthroats (Geothlypis trichas) is correlated with both relative telomere length and with the rate of telomere loss between years. Elevated antioxidant capacity is also associated with reduced telomere loss, but only among older males. Previous work in this population has demonstrated that males with brighter plumage are in better condition, have higher reproductive success, and are more likely to survive over winter. Thus, the signal attribute associated with mate choice in this system also conveys reliable information about telomere dynamics. At present, it is unclear whether telomere maintenance plays a causal role in maintaining signal honesty or whether the correlation arises due to underlying variation in individual resources or genotypes. We suggest that subsequent work should consider the possibility that fundamental trade-offs between signal investment and cell-level processes that influence aging and reproductive senescence may provide a foundation for understanding the maintenance of sexual signal honesty.
Collapse
|
34
|
Soler JJ, Ruiz-Castellano C, Figuerola J, Martín-Vivaldi M, Martínez-de la Puente J, Ruiz-Rodríguez M, Tomás G. Telomere length and dynamics of spotless starling nestlings depend on nest-building materials used by parents. Anim Behav 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2017.01.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
|
35
|
How Do Growth and Sibling Competition Affect Telomere Dynamics in the First Month of Life of Long-Lived Seabird? PLoS One 2016; 11:e0167261. [PMID: 27902754 PMCID: PMC5130235 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0167261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2016] [Accepted: 11/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Telomeres are nucleotide sequences located at the ends of chromosomes that promote genome stability. Changes in telomere length (dynamics) are related to fitness or life expectancy, and telomere dynamics during the development phase are likely to be affected by growth and stress factors. Here, we examined telomere dynamics of black-tailed gull chicks (Larus crassirostris) in nests with and without siblings. We found that the initial telomere lengths of singletons at hatching were longer than those of siblings, indicating that singletons are higher-quality chicks than siblings in terms of telomere length. Other factors likely affecting individual quality (i.e., sex, laying date, laying order of eggs, and clutch size) were not related to telomere lengths. Within broods, initial telomere lengths were longer in older chicks than in younger chicks, suggesting that maternal effects, which vary with laying sequence, influence the initial lengths. Additionally, telomeres of chicks with a sibling showed more attrition between hatching and fledging than those of singleton chicks, suggesting that being raised with siblings can cause a sustained competitive environment that leads to telomere loss. High growth rates were associated with a low degree of telomere shortening observed in older siblings, perhaps because slower growth reflects higher food stress and/or higher aerobic metabolism from increased begging effort. Our results show that developmental telomere attrition was an inevitable consequence in two-chick nests in the pre- and post-hatching microenvironments due to the combination of social stress within the nest and maternal effects. The results of our study shed light on telomere dynamics in early life, which may represent an important physiological undercurrent of life-history traits.
Collapse
|
36
|
McLennan D, Armstrong JD, Stewart DC, Mckelvey S, Boner W, Monaghan P, Metcalfe NB. Interactions between parental traits, environmental harshness and growth rate in determining telomere length in wild juvenile salmon. Mol Ecol 2016; 25:5425-5438. [PMID: 27662635 PMCID: PMC5091633 DOI: 10.1111/mec.13857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2016] [Revised: 09/02/2016] [Accepted: 09/12/2016] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
A larger body size confers many benefits, such as increased reproductive success, ability to evade predators and increased competitive ability and social status. However, individuals rarely maximize their growth rates, suggesting that this carries costs. One such cost could be faster attrition of the telomeres that cap the ends of eukaryotic chromosomes and play an important role in chromosome protection. A relatively short telomere length is indicative of poor biological state, including poorer tissue and organ performance, reduced potential longevity and increased disease susceptibility. Telomere loss during growth may also be accelerated by environmental factors, but these have rarely been subjected to experimental manipulation in the natural environment. Using a wild system involving experimental manipulations of juvenile Atlantic salmon Salmo salar in Scottish streams, we found that telomere length in juvenile fish was influenced by parental traits and by direct environmental effects. We found that faster‐growing fish had shorter telomeres and there was a greater cost (in terms of reduced telomere length) if the growth occurred in a harsher environment. We also found a positive association between offspring telomere length and the growth history of their fathers (but not mothers), represented by the number of years fathers had spent at sea. This suggests that there may be long‐term consequences of growth conditions and parental life history for individual longevity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- D McLennan
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Graham Kerr Building, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK.
| | - J D Armstrong
- Marine Scotland - Science, Freshwater Laboratory, Faskally, Pitlochry, PH16 5LB, UK
| | - D C Stewart
- Marine Scotland - Science, Freshwater Laboratory, Faskally, Pitlochry, PH16 5LB, UK
| | - S Mckelvey
- Cromarty Firth Fishery Trust, CKD Galbraith, Reay House, 17 Old Edinburgh Road, Inverness, IV2 3HF, UK
| | - W Boner
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Graham Kerr Building, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK
| | - P Monaghan
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Graham Kerr Building, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK
| | - N B Metcalfe
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Graham Kerr Building, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Costanzo A, Parolini M, Bazzi G, Khoriauli L, Santagostino M, Possenti CD, Romano A, Nergadze SG, Rubolini D, Giulotto E, Saino N. Brood size, telomere length, and parent-offspring color signaling in barn swallows. Behav Ecol 2016. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/arw147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
|
38
|
Mishra S, Kumar R, Malhotra N, Singh N, Dada R. Mild oxidative stress is beneficial for sperm telomere length maintenance. World J Methodol 2016; 6:163-170. [PMID: 27376021 PMCID: PMC4921947 DOI: 10.5662/wjm.v6.i2.163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2015] [Revised: 11/24/2015] [Accepted: 03/23/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM: To evaluate telomere length in sperm DNA and its correlation with oxidative stress (normal, mild, severe).
METHODS: The study included infertile men (n = 112) and age matched fertile controls (n = 102). The average telomere length from the sperm DNA was measured using a quantitative real time PCR based assay. Seminal reactive oxygen species (ROS) and 8-Isoprostane (8-IP) levels were measured by chemiluminescence assay and ELISA respectively.
RESULTS: Average sperm telomere length in infertile men and controls was 0.609 ± 0.15 and 0.789 ± 0.060, respectively (P < 0.0001). Seminal ROS levels in infertile was higher [66.61 ± 28.32 relative light units (RLU)/s/million sperm] than in controls (14.04 ± 10.67 RLU/s/million sperm) (P < 0.0001). The 8-IP level in infertile men was significantly higher (421.55 ± 131.29 pg/mL) than in controls (275.94 ± 48.13 pg/mL) (P < 0.001). When correlated to oxidative stress, in normal range of oxidative stress (ROS, 0-21.3 RLU/s/million sperm) the average telomere length in cases was 0.663 ± 0.14, in mild oxidative stress (ROS, 21.3-35 RLU/s/million sperm) it was elevated (0.684 ± 0.12) and in severe oxidative stress (ROS > 35 RLU/s/million sperm) average telomere length was decreased to 0.595 ± 0.15.
CONCLUSION: Mild oxidative stress results in lengthening of telomere length, but severe oxidative stress results in shorter telomeres. Although telomere maintenance is a complex trait, the study shows that mild oxidative stress is beneficial in telomere length maintenance and thus a delicate balance needs to be established to maximize the beneficial effects of free radicals and prevent harmful effects of supra physiological levels. Detailed molecular evaluation of telomere structure, its correlation with oxidative stress would aid in elucidating the cause of accelerated telomere length attrition.
Collapse
|
39
|
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]
|