1
|
Westneat DF, Young RC, Cones AG, Kucera AC, Anacleto A, Heidinger BJ. Early-life telomeres are influenced by environments acting at multiple temporal and spatial scales. Mol Ecol 2023; 32:5959-5970. [PMID: 37837282 DOI: 10.1111/mec.17166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Revised: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023]
Abstract
An individual's telomere length early in life may reflect or contribute to key life-history processes sensitive to environmental variation. Yet, the relative importance of genetic and environmental factors in shaping early-life telomere length is not well understood as it requires samples collected from multiple generations with known developmental histories. We used a confirmed pedigree and conducted an animal model analysis of telomere lengths obtained from nestling house sparrows (Passer domesticus) sampled over a span of 22 years. We found significant additive genetic variation for early-life telomere length, but it comprised a small proportion (9%) of the total biological variation. Three sources of environmental variation were important: among cohorts, among-breeding attempts within years, and among nestmates. The magnitude of variation among breeding attempts and among nestmates also differed by cohort, suggesting that interactive effects of environmental factors across time or spatial scales were important, yet we were unable to identify the specific causes of these interactions. The mean amount of precipitation during the breeding season positively predicted telomere length, but neither weather during a given breeding attempt nor date in the breeding season contributed to an offspring's telomere length. At the level of individual nestlings, offspring sex, size and mass at 10 days of age also did not predict telomere length. Environmental effects appear especially important in shaping early-life telomere length in some species, and more focus on how environmental factors that interact across scales may help to explain some of the variation observed among studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David F Westneat
- Department of Biology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
| | - Rebecca C Young
- Department of Biology, North Dakota State University, Fargo, North Dakota, USA
| | - Alexandra G Cones
- Department of Biology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
| | - Aurelia C Kucera
- Department of Biology, North Dakota State University, Fargo, North Dakota, USA
| | - Angelo Anacleto
- Department of Biology, North Dakota State University, Fargo, North Dakota, USA
| | - Britt J Heidinger
- Department of Biology, North Dakota State University, Fargo, North Dakota, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Javůrková VG, Mikšík I. New insights into the relationships between egg maternal components: the interplays between albumen steroid hormones, proteins and eggshell protoporphyrin. Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 2023; 279:111401. [PMID: 36781044 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2023.111401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/13/2023]
Abstract
Recent studies have shown that the egg yolk maternal components, which are a mixture of substances that can affect the developing embryo, do not act separately but are interconnected and co-adapted. Surprisingly, no study to date has focused on the associations between maternally derived albumen steroids and albumen and eggshell compounds with pleiotropic effects. Eggshell pigment protoporphyrin (PROTO IX) should provide primary antimicrobial protection for eggs, but as a proven pro-oxidant, it may compromise female fitness. Abundant albumen proteins ovotransferrin (OVOTR) and lysozyme (LSM) have been shown to have antimicrobial, antioxidant, immunoregulatory and growth-regulatory roles. To investigate associations between albumen steroids and OVOTR, LSM and eggshell cuticle PROTO IX, we used chicken eggs with differently pigmented eggshells. We found that albumen steroid hormones were strongly intercorrelated. In addition, we revealed that albumen LSM and testosterone (T) were positively associated, while a negative association was found between albumen LSM and pregnenolone (P5). Eggshell cuticle PROTO IX was negatively associated with the concentration of albumen 17α-hydroxypregnenolone (17-OHP5). Finally, of all the hormones tested, only the concentration of albumen 17-OHP5 correlated negatively with egg volume and varied with eggshell colour and chicken breed. Although experimental evidence for the effect of maternal albumen steroids on avian developing embryo is still scarce, our study is the first to highlight co-variation and potential co-adjustment of maternally derived albumen steroids, proteins and eggshell cuticle pigment suggesting similar allocation mechanisms known for yolk maternal compounds with the potential to influence the avian embryo and offspring phenotype.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Veronika Gvoždíková Javůrková
- Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 7, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands; Institute of Vertebrate Biology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Květná 8, 603 65 Brno, Czech Republic.
| | - Ivan Mikšík
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemical Technology, University of Pardubice, Studentská 573, 532 10 Pardubice, Czech Republic
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Mentesana L, Andersson MN, Casagrande S, Goymann W, Isaksson C, Hau M. Natural variation in yolk fatty acids, but not androgens, predicts offspring fitness in a wild bird. Front Zool 2021; 18:38. [PMID: 34353328 PMCID: PMC8340462 DOI: 10.1186/s12983-021-00422-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 07/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In egg-laying animals, mothers can influence the developmental environment and thus the phenotype of their offspring by secreting various substances into the egg yolk. In birds, recent studies have demonstrated that different yolk substances can interactively affect offspring phenotype, but the implications of such effects for offspring fitness and phenotype in natural populations have remained unclear. We measured natural variation in the content of 31 yolk components known to shape offspring phenotypes including steroid hormones, antioxidants and fatty acids in eggs of free-living great tits (Parus major) during two breeding seasons. We tested for relationships between yolk component groupings and offspring fitness and phenotypes. RESULTS Variation in hatchling and fledgling numbers was primarily explained by yolk fatty acids (including saturated, mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acids) - but not by androgen hormones and carotenoids, components previously considered to be major determinants of offspring phenotype. Fatty acids were also better predictors of variation in nestling oxidative status and size than androgens and carotenoids. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that fatty acids are important yolk substances that contribute to shaping offspring fitness and phenotype in free-living populations. Since polyunsaturated fatty acids cannot be produced de novo by the mother, but have to be obtained from the diet, these findings highlight potential mechanisms (e.g., weather, habitat quality, foraging ability) through which environmental variation may shape maternal effects and consequences for offspring. Our study represents an important first step towards unraveling interactive effects of multiple yolk substances on offspring fitness and phenotypes in free-living populations. It provides the basis for future experiments that will establish the pathways by which yolk components, singly and/or interactively, mediate maternal effects in natural populations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Mentesana
- Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, Eberhard-Gwinner-Str., 82319, Seewiesen, Germany.
| | - Martin N Andersson
- Department of Biology, Lund University, Sölvegatan 37, 223 62, Lund, Sweden
| | - Stefania Casagrande
- Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, Eberhard-Gwinner-Str., 82319, Seewiesen, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Goymann
- Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, Eberhard-Gwinner-Str., 82319, Seewiesen, Germany
| | - Caroline Isaksson
- Department of Biology, Lund University, Sölvegatan 37, 223 62, Lund, Sweden
| | - Michaela Hau
- Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, Eberhard-Gwinner-Str., 82319, Seewiesen, Germany.,University of Konstanz, Universitätsstraße 10, 78464, Konstanz, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Partecke J, Hegyi G, Fitze PS, Gasparini J, Schwabl H. Maternal effects and urbanization: Variation of yolk androgens and immunoglobulin in city and forest blackbirds. Ecol Evol 2020; 10:2213-2224. [PMID: 32128150 PMCID: PMC7042752 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.6058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2019] [Revised: 11/22/2019] [Accepted: 01/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Wildlife inhabiting urban environments exhibit drastic changes in morphology, physiology, and behavior. It has often been argued that these phenotypic responses could be the result of micro-evolutionary changes following the urbanization process. However, other mechanisms such as phenotypic plasticity, maternal effects, and developmental plasticity could be involved as well. To address maternal effects as potential mechanisms, we compared maternal hormone and antibody concentrations in eggs between city and forest populations of European blackbirds (Turdus merula), a widely distributed species for which previous research demonstrated differences in behavioral and physiological traits. We measured egg and yolk mass, yolk concentrations of androgens (androstenedione [A4], testosterone [T], 5α-dihydrotestosterone [5α-DHT], and immunoglobulins [IgY]) and related them to population, clutch size, laying order, embryo sex, and progress of breeding season. We show (a) earlier onset of laying in the city than forest population, but similar egg and clutch size; (b) higher overall yolk androgen concentrations in the forest than the city population (sex-dependent for T); (c) greater among-female variation of yolk T and 5α-DHT concentrations in the forest than city population, but similar within-clutch variation; (d) similar IgY concentrations with a seasonal decline in both populations; and (e) population-specific positive (city) or negative (forest) association of yolk A4 and T with IgY concentrations. Our results are consistent with the hypotheses that hormone-mediated maternal effects contribute to differences in behavioral and physiological traits between city and forest individuals and that yolk androgen and immunoglobulin levels can exhibit population-specific relationships rather than trade-off against each other.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jesko Partecke
- Department of MigrationMax Planck Institute of Animal BehaviorRadolfzellGermany
- Department of BiologyUniversity of KonstanzKonstanzGermany
- School of Biological Sciences and Center for Reproductive BiologyWashington State University PullmanPullmanWAUSA
| | - Gergely Hegyi
- School of Biological Sciences and Center for Reproductive BiologyWashington State University PullmanPullmanWAUSA
- Department of Systematic Zoology and EcologyEötvös Loránd UniversityBudapestHungary
| | | | - Julien Gasparini
- Sorbonne UniversitéUPECCNRSINRAIRDInstitut d'Ecologie et des Sciences de l'Environnement de ParisParisFrance
| | - Hubert Schwabl
- School of Biological Sciences and Center for Reproductive BiologyWashington State University PullmanPullmanWAUSA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Urvik J, Rattiste K, Giraudeau M, Okuliarová M, Hõrak P, Sepp T. Age-specific patterns of maternal investment in common gull egg yolk. Biol Lett 2019; 14:rsbl.2018.0346. [PMID: 29997189 DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2018.0346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2018] [Accepted: 06/19/2018] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
While the general patterns of age-specific changes in reproductive success are quite well established in long-lived animals, we still do not know if allocation patterns of maternally transmitted compounds are related to maternal age. We measured the levels of yolk testosterone, carotenoids and vitamins A and E in a population of known-aged common gulls (Larus canus) and found an age-specific pattern in yolk lutein and vitamin A concentrations. Middle-aged mothers allocated more of these substances to yolk compared to young and old mothers. These results can be explained through differences in age-specific foraging, absorption or deposition patterns of carotenoids and vitamins into yolk. If these molecules play a role in antioxidant defence and immune modulation, our results suggest a possible physiological pathway underlying the age-specific changes in reproductive success of long-lived birds in the wild.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Janek Urvik
- Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, Vanemuise 46, 51014 Tartu, Estonia
| | - Kalev Rattiste
- Chair of Biodiversity and Nature Tourism, Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Kreutzwaldi 5, 51006, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Mathieu Giraudeau
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Penryn, Cornwall TR10 9FE, UK
| | - Monika Okuliarová
- Department of Animal Physiology and Ethology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava, Ilkovičova 6, 842 15, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Peeter Hõrak
- Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, Vanemuise 46, 51014 Tartu, Estonia
| | - Tuul Sepp
- Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, Vanemuise 46, 51014 Tartu, Estonia
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Groothuis TGG, Hsu BY, Kumar N, Tschirren B. Revisiting mechanisms and functions of prenatal hormone-mediated maternal effects using avian species as a model. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2019; 374:20180115. [PMID: 30966885 PMCID: PMC6460091 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2018.0115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Maternal effects can adaptively modulate offspring developmental trajectories in variable but predictable environments. Hormone synthesis is sensitive to environmental factors, and maternal hormones are thus a powerful mechanism to transfer environmental cues to the next generation. Birds have become a key model for the study of hormone-mediated maternal effects because the embryo develops outside the mother's body, facilitating the measurement and manipulation of prenatal hormone exposure. At the same time, birds are excellent models for the integration of both proximate and ultimate approaches, which is key to a better understanding of the evolution of hormone-mediated maternal effects. Over the past two decades, a surge of studies on hormone-mediated maternal effects has revealed an increasing number of discrepancies. In this review, we discuss the role of the environment, genetic factors and social interactions in causing these discrepancies and provide a framework to resolve them. We also explore the largely neglected role of the embryo in modulating the maternal signal, as well as costs and benefits of hormone transfer and expression for the different family members. We conclude by highlighting fruitful avenues for future research that have opened up thanks to new theoretical insights and technical advances in the field. This article is part of the theme issue 'Developing differences: early-life effects and evolutionary medicine'.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ton G. G. Groothuis
- Behavioural Biology, Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Bin-Yan Hsu
- Behavioural Biology, Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands
- Department of Biology, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Neeraj Kumar
- Behavioural Biology, Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Barbara Tschirren
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Penryn, UK
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
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
|
8
|
Conrad M, Kagan VE, Bayir H, Pagnussat GC, Head B, Traber MG, Stockwell BR. Regulation of lipid peroxidation and ferroptosis in diverse species. Genes Dev 2018; 32:602-619. [PMID: 29802123 PMCID: PMC6004068 DOI: 10.1101/gad.314674.118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 300] [Impact Index Per Article: 50.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
This review by Conrad et al. reviews the functions and regulation of lipid peroxidation, ferroptosis, and the antioxidant network in diverse species, including humans, other mammals and vertebrates, plants, invertebrates, yeast, bacteria, and archaea, and discusses the potential evolutionary roles of lipid peroxidation and ferroptosis. Lipid peroxidation is the process by which oxygen combines with lipids to generate lipid hydroperoxides via intermediate formation of peroxyl radicals. Vitamin E and coenzyme Q10 react with peroxyl radicals to yield peroxides, and then these oxidized lipid species can be detoxified by glutathione and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) and other components of the cellular antioxidant defense network. Ferroptosis is a form of regulated nonapoptotic cell death involving overwhelming iron-dependent lipid peroxidation. Here, we review the functions and regulation of lipid peroxidation, ferroptosis, and the antioxidant network in diverse species, including humans, other mammals and vertebrates, plants, invertebrates, yeast, bacteria, and archaea. We also discuss the potential evolutionary roles of lipid peroxidation and ferroptosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marcus Conrad
- Institute of Developmental Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Deutsches Forschungszentrum für Gesundheit und Umwelt (GmbH), 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Valerian E Kagan
- Center for Free Radical and Antioxidant Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, USA.,Department of Environmental Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, USA.,Department of Chemistry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, USA.,Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, USA.,Laboratory of Navigational Lipidomics of Cell Death and Regeneration, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow 119992, Russia
| | - Hülya Bayir
- Center for Free Radical and Antioxidant Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, USA.,Department of Critical Care Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, USA
| | - Gabriela C Pagnussat
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, 7600 Mar del Plata, Argentina
| | - Brian Head
- Linus Pauling Institute, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97330.,Molecular and Cell Biology Graduate Program, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97330, USA
| | - Maret G Traber
- Linus Pauling Institute, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97330.,College of Public Health and Human Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97330, USA
| | - Brent R Stockwell
- Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, New York 10027, USA.,Department of Chemistry, Columbia University, New York, New York 10027, USA
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Giraudeau M, Ziegler AK, Mcgraw KJ, Okuliarová M, Zeman M, Tschirren B. In ovo yolk carotenoid and testosterone levels interactively influence female transfer of yolk antioxidants to her eggs. Biol Lett 2018; 14:rsbl.2018.0103. [PMID: 29875206 DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2018.0103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2018] [Accepted: 05/03/2018] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Mothers can influence prenatal conditions by varying the amount of nutrients, hormones or antioxidants they provide to their developing young. Some of these substances even affect the transfer of these compounds in the next generation, but it is less clear how different maternally transmitted compounds interact with each other to shape reproductive resource allocation in their offspring. Here, we found that female Japanese quails (Coturnix japonica) that were exposed to high carotenoid levels during embryonic development transferred lower concentrations of yolk antioxidants to their own eggs later in life. This effect disappeared when both testosterone and carotenoid concentrations were manipulated simultaneously, showing long-term and interactive effects of these maternally derived egg components on a female's own egg composition. Given that exposure to high levels of testosterone during embryo development stimulates the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and impairs antioxidant defenses, we propose that carotenoids act as in ovo antioxidants in an oxidatively stressful environment (i.e. when levels of testosterone are high) but might have prooxidant properties in an environment where they are not used to counteract an increased production of ROS. In line with this hypothesis, we previously showed that prenatal exposure to increased concentrations of yolk carotenoids leads to a rise of oxidative damage at adulthood, but only when yolk testosterone concentrations were not experimentally increased as well. As a consequence, antioxidants in the body may be used to limit oxidative damage in females exposed to high levels of carotenoids during development (but not in females exposed to increased levels of both carotenoids and testosterone), resulting in lower amounts of antioxidants being available for deposition into eggs. Since prenatal antioxidant exposure is known to influence fitness-related traits, the effect detected in this study might have transgenerational consequences.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mathieu Giraudeau
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-4501, USA .,Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Penryn, Cornwall TR10 9FE, UK.,Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Switzerland
| | - Ann-Kathrin Ziegler
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Switzerland.,Department of Biology, Lund University, Sölvegatan 37, Lund, Sweden
| | - Kevin J Mcgraw
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-4501, USA
| | - Monika Okuliarová
- Department of Animal Physiology and Ethology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava, Ilkovičova 6, 842 15, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Michal Zeman
- Department of Animal Physiology and Ethology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava, Ilkovičova 6, 842 15, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Barbara Tschirren
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Penryn, Cornwall TR10 9FE, UK.,Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Possenti CD, Secomandi S, Schiavon A, Caprioli M, Rubolini D, Romano A, Saino N, Parolini M. Independent and combined effects of egg pro- and anti-oxidants on gull chick phenotype. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018; 221:jeb.174300. [PMID: 29615528 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.174300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2017] [Accepted: 03/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Oviparous mothers transfer to their eggs components that have both independent and combined effects on offspring phenotype. The functional interaction between egg components, such as antioxidants and hormones, suggests that a change in the concentration of one component will have effects on offspring traits that depend on the concentration of other interacting components. However, the combined effects of variation in different egg components are virtually unknown. Bird eggs contain vitamin E, a major antioxidant, and also maternal corticosterone. The independent consequences of variation in the egg concentrations of these compounds for offspring phenotype are largely unknown and no study has investigated their combined effects. We manipulated the concentration of vitamin E and corticosterone in the eggs of the yellow-legged gull (Larus michahellis) by administering a physiological (2 s.d.) dose both independently and in combination. We tested for an effect on chick post-natal growth, plasma antioxidant capacity (TAC) and oxidative compounds (TOS). Separate administration of vitamin E or corticosterone caused a reduction in body mass relative to controls, whereas the combined administration of the two compounds reversed their negative effects. These results suggest that maternal egg components, such as antioxidants and steroid hormones, interact and mothers must balance their concentrations in order to achieve optimal offspring phenotype. The functional relationship between vitamin E and corticosterone is corroborated by the observation of positive covariation between these compounds.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Daniela Possenti
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of Milan, via Celoria 26, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Simona Secomandi
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of Milan, via Celoria 26, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Alfredo Schiavon
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of Milan, via Celoria 26, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Manuela Caprioli
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of Milan, via Celoria 26, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Diego Rubolini
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of Milan, via Celoria 26, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Romano
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of Milan, via Celoria 26, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Nicola Saino
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of Milan, via Celoria 26, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Marco Parolini
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of Milan, via Celoria 26, 20133 Milan, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Giraudeau M, Ducatez S. Co-adjustment of yolk antioxidants and androgens in birds. Biol Lett 2017; 12:rsbl.2016.0676. [PMID: 27852943 DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2016.0676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2016] [Accepted: 10/24/2016] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Mothers can shape the developmental trajectory of their offspring through the transmission of resources such as hormones, antioxidants or immunoglobulins. Over the last two decades, an abundant literature on maternal effects in birds has shown that several of these compounds (i.e. androgens, glucocorticoids and antioxidants) often influence the same offspring phenotypic traits (i.e. growth, immunity or oxidative stress levels), making interaction effects between egg components a likely scenario. However, the potential interactive effects of maternally transmitted compounds on offspring development and potential co-adjustment of these compounds within an egg are still poorly understood. Here, we report the results of an interspecific comparative analysis on birds' egg yolk composition (i.e. androgens and antioxidants) where we found that yolk carotenoid and vitamin E concentrations are positively associated, supporting the hypothesis that these two antioxidants act in synergy. The concentrations of vitamin E also increased with increasing concentrations of testosterone. This last result confirms the emerging idea that androgens and antioxidants are co-adjusted within eggs and that maternally transmitted antioxidants might limit the potential direct and indirect effects of prenatal exposure to high testosterone levels on oxidative stress.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mathieu Giraudeau
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-4501, USA .,Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Penryn, Cornwall, UK
| | - Simon Ducatez
- Department of Biology, McGill University, Montréal, Canada.,CREAF, Barcelona, Spain
| |
Collapse
|