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Olsen AY, Smith A, Hempstead C, Larson SE. Analytical Validation and Assessment of Baseline Fecal Glucocorticoid Metabolites in Northern Sea Otters ( Enhydra lutris kenyoni) in Human Care. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:2175. [PMID: 37443973 DOI: 10.3390/ani13132175] [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: 05/05/2023] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Fecal glucocorticoid metabolites (FGMs) have been used as a non-invasive and indirect measurement of the complex stress response in a variety of species. Animals in facilities under managed care allow for the longitudinal study of FGMs in a controlled environment. Animal histories often include environmental, husbandry, and medical notes that can be matched to FGM concentrations to aid in the physiological validation of adrenal stimulation and response. The goal of this study was to demonstrate analytical validations using two enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (EIA) to measure FGMs from northern sea otters (Enhydra lutris kenyoni) under human care (Seattle Aquarium, Seattle, WA, USA) and to determine baseline and stress response spike levels for individual sea otters. Individual variation was found among the four subjects in the study with fecal baseline levels ranging from 20.2 to 83.7 ng/g for cortisol-immunoreactive metabolites and 52.3 to 102 ng/g for corticosterone-immunoreactive metabolites. As a retrospective study, 39 percent of hormone peaks were associated with notes and most FGM spikes were associated with veterinary procedures or days in which enrichment items were provided and produced an excitatory response. Monitoring baseline FGMs levels and events associated with hormone peak values may provide insight into effective husbandry management to improve the overall welfare of sea otters and other marine mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy Y Olsen
- Seattle Aquarium, 1483 Alaskan Way, Seattle, WA 98101, USA
| | - Angela Smith
- Seattle Aquarium, 1483 Alaskan Way, Seattle, WA 98101, USA
| | | | - Shawn E Larson
- Seattle Aquarium, 1483 Alaskan Way, Seattle, WA 98101, USA
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Hansen E, Sun J, Helander B, Bustnes JO, Eulaers I, Jaspers VLB, Covaci A, Eens M, Bourgeon S. A retrospective investigation of feather corticosterone in a highly contaminated white-tailed eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla) population. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 228:115923. [PMID: 37072083 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.115923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Revised: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to persistent organic pollutants (POPs), such as organochlorines (OCs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), is associated with adverse health effects in wildlife. Many POPs have been banned and consequently their environmental concentrations have declined. To assess both temporal trends of POPs and their detrimental impacts, raptors are extensively used as biomonitors due to their high food web position and high contaminant levels. White-tailed eagles (WTEs; Haliaeetus albicilla) in the Baltic ecosystem represent a sentinel species of environmental pollution, as they have suffered population declines due to reproductive failure caused by severe exposure to dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) during the 1960s through 1980s. However, there is a lack of long-term studies that cover a wide range of environmental contaminants and their effects at the individual level. In this study, we used 135 pooled samples of shed body feathers collected in 1968-2012 from breeding WTE pairs in Sweden. Feathers constitute a temporal archive for substances incorporated into the feather during growth, including corticosterone, which is the primary avian glucocorticoid and a stress-associated hormone. Here, we analysed the WTE feather pools to investigate annual variations in feather corticosterone (fCORT), POPs (OCs and PBDEs), and stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes (SIs; dietary proxies). We examined whether the expected fluctuations in POPs affected fCORT (8-94 pg. mm-1) in the WTE pairs. Despite clear temporal declining trends in POP concentrations (p < 0.01), we found no significant associations between fCORT and POPs or SIs (p > 0.05 in all cases). Our results do not support fCORT as a relevant biomarker of contaminant-mediated effects in WTEs despite studying a highly contaminated population. However, although not detecting a relationship between fCORT, POP contamination and diet, fCORT represents a non-destructive and retrospective assessment of long-term stress physiology in wild raptors otherwise not readily available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabeth Hansen
- UiT - the Arctic University of Norway, Department of Arctic and Marine Biology, Hansine Hansens Veg 18, NO-9019, Tromsø, Norway.
| | - Jiachen Sun
- College of Marine Life Science, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, CN-266003, Shandong, China
| | - Björn Helander
- Swedish Museum of Natural History, Department of Environmental Research and Monitoring, Box 50007, SE-10405, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jan Ove Bustnes
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA), Framsenteret, Hjalmar Johansens Gate 14, NO-9296, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Igor Eulaers
- Fram Centre, Norwegian Polar Institute, NO-9296, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Veerle L B Jaspers
- Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Høgskoleringen 5, 7491, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Adrian Covaci
- Toxicological Centre, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, BE-2610, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Marcel Eens
- Behavioural and Ecophysiology Group, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, BE-2610, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Sophie Bourgeon
- UiT - the Arctic University of Norway, Department of Arctic and Marine Biology, Hansine Hansens Veg 18, NO-9019, Tromsø, Norway
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Jones BC, Nguyen LT, DuVal EH. Testing the developmental hypothesis of the HPA axis in a tropical passerine: Dampened corticosterone response and faster negative feedback in nestling lance-tailed manakins (Chiroxiphia lanceolata). Gen Comp Endocrinol 2021; 300:113639. [PMID: 33017588 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2020.113639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2020] [Revised: 09/14/2020] [Accepted: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
When vertebrates are exposed to stressors, the subsequent acute increase in glucocorticoids by the hypothalamic-pituitaryadrenal (HPA) axis triggers a suite of adaptive responses, including mobilization of stored energy and repression of non-essential processes. However, chronic exposure to high concentrations of glucocorticoids can lead to metabolic dysregulation, impaired immune function, and cognitive decline. In developing young, this hormonal stress response shows considerable variation. Generally, the physiological stress response of young of precocial species is comparable to that of adults, whereas offspring of altricial species exhibit an attenuated response compared to adults. The developmental hypothesis of the HPA axis proposes that the dampened stress response in dependent offspring is an adaptive response to avoid the negative effects of elevated glucocorticoids, particularly in altricial species where young lack the ability to mitigate stressful stimuli.We aimed to test the developmental hypothesis in a tropical avian species, the lance-tailed manakin (Chiroxiphia lanceolata). We predicted that nestlings of this altricial species should have a dampened corticosterone response, in both magnitude and duration, compared to that of adults. We also predicted that recently fledged hatch-year birds would display a response intermediate to that of adults and nestlings. We quantified circulating corticosterone levels in adults, recently fledged hatch-year birds, and 11-day-old nestlings using a standardized capture and restraint protocol. Nestlings showed a lower maximal corticosterone response and faster negative feedback compared to adults. Further, five post-fledging hatch-year birds showed a feedback response intermediate to those of nestlings and adults. However, we caution against generalizing about fledgling responses beyond this study due to the small sample (n = 5). Interestingly, lance-tailed manakin nestlings appear to return to baseline concentrations faster than nestlings of temperate species. These results support the developmental hypothesis of the HPA axis explaining variation in stress response. This study is the first to assess the development of the hormonal stress response in nestlings of a tropical bird, which is of interest because of our still-developing understanding of how tropical and temperate species differ physiologically. Finally, findings here underscore the importance of validating and adjusting sampling protocols that quantify nestling stress responses, as sampling timelines identified for adults may underestimate the magnitude of the nestling stress response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Blake Carlton Jones
- Florida State University Department of Biological Science, 319 Stadium Dr., Tallahassee, FL 32306-4295, United States; Bennington College, Science and Mathematics, 1 College Dr., Bennington, VT 05201, United States.
| | - Leslie T Nguyen
- Florida State University Department of Biological Science, 319 Stadium Dr., Tallahassee, FL 32306-4295, United States
| | - Emily H DuVal
- Florida State University Department of Biological Science, 319 Stadium Dr., Tallahassee, FL 32306-4295, United States
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Resident European ground squirrels exhibit higher stress levels than translocated individuals after conservation reinforcement. Mamm Biol 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s42991-020-00066-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
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5
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Kang SW, Kidd MT, Kadhim HJ, Shouse S, Orlowski SK, Hiltz J, Anthony NB, Kuenzel WJ, Kong BC. Characterization of stress response involved in chicken myopathy. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2020; 295:113526. [PMID: 32540490 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2020.113526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2020] [Revised: 05/28/2020] [Accepted: 06/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Myopathies (Woody Breast (WB) and White Striping (WS)) of broiler chickens have been correlated with fast growth. Recent studies reported that localized hypoxia and metabolic impairment may involve in these myopathies of birds. In order to better understand the stress response mechanisms affecting myopathies of broilers, the aim of this study was to examine effects of WB and both WB/WS on stress hormone corticosterone (CORT) levels and expressional changes of stress response genes including glucocorticoid (GC) receptor (GR), 11β-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11β-HSD1), DNA methylation regulators (DNMTs), and arginine vasotocin receptor 1a and 1b (V1aR, V1bR). Results of radioimmunoassay showed that CORT levels of WB and WB/WS birds were significantly higher compared to Con (p < 0.05), however, the combination of WB/WS was not significantly higher than WB birds, implying that the effects of WB and WS on CORT are not synergistic. Hepatic GR expression of both WB and WB/WS birds were significantly higher compared to Con (p < 0.05). However, GR expression levels in breast muscle of both WB and WB/WS birds were decreased compared to Con (p < 0.05). Hepatic 11β-HSD1 expression was increased only in WB/WS birds compared to Con birds with no significant difference between Con and WB birds. 11β-HSD1 expression was decreased and increased in WB and WB/WS birds compared to Con, respectively, in breast muscle (p < 0.05). DNMT1 expression was significantly decreased in both muscle and liver of WB birds, and in muscle of WB/WS birds, but not in liver of WB/WS birds, indicating differential effects of WS on the epigenetical stress response of muscle and liver compared to WB. V1aR expression was significantly increased in muscle of WB birds, and in liver of WB/WS birds compared to Con birds (p < 0.05). V1bR was not changed in muscle and liver of WB birds compared to Con birds. Taken together, results suggest that GC-induced myopathies occur in fast-growing broiler chickens and circulating CORT level might be a significant biochemical marker of myopathies (WB and WS) of birds. In addition, chronic stress responses in breast muscle and tissue-specific epigenetic changes of stress response genes by DNMTs may play a critical role in the occurrence of myopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seong W Kang
- Department of Poultry Science, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701, United States.
| | - Michael T Kidd
- Department of Poultry Science, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701, United States
| | - Hakeem J Kadhim
- Cell and Molecular Biology Program, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701, United States
| | - Stephanie Shouse
- Department of Poultry Science, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701, United States
| | - Sara K Orlowski
- Department of Poultry Science, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701, United States
| | - Joseph Hiltz
- Department of Poultry Science, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701, United States
| | - Nickolas B Anthony
- Department of Poultry Science, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701, United States
| | - Wayne J Kuenzel
- Department of Poultry Science, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701, United States
| | - Byungwhi C Kong
- Department of Poultry Science, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701, United States
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Zimmer C, Taff CC, Ardia DR, Rose AP, Aborn DA, Johnson LS, Vitousek MN. Environmental unpredictability shapes glucocorticoid regulation across populations of tree swallows. Sci Rep 2020; 10:13682. [PMID: 32792550 PMCID: PMC7426823 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-70161-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2020] [Accepted: 07/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The ability to respond appropriately to challenges is an important contributor to fitness. Variation in the regulation of glucocorticoid hormones, which mediate the phenotypic response to challenges, can therefore influence the ability to persist in a given environment. We compared stress responsiveness in four populations of tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) breeding under different environmental conditions to evaluate support for different selective pressures in driving the evolution of glucocorticoid regulation. In accordance with the environmental unpredictability hypothesis, stronger stress responses were seen in more unpredictable environments. Contrary to the reproductive value hypothesis, the stress response was not lower in populations engaging in more valuable reproductive attempts. Populations with stronger stress responses also had stronger negative feedback, which supports a “mitigating” rather than a “magnifying” effect of negative feedback on stress responses. These results suggest that combining a robust stress response with strong negative feedback may be important for persisting in unpredictable or rapidly changing environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cedric Zimmer
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA.
| | - Conor C Taff
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA.,Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, 14850, USA
| | - Daniel R Ardia
- Department of Biology, Franklin and Marshall College, Lancaster, PA, 17604, USA
| | - Alexandra P Rose
- Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, 80303, USA
| | - David A Aborn
- Biology, Geology and Environmental Science, The University of Tennessee Chattanooga, Chattanooga, TN, 37403, USA
| | - L Scott Johnson
- Department of Biological Sciences, Towson University, Towson, MD, 21252, USA
| | - Maren N Vitousek
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA.,Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, 14850, USA
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Merrill L, Ospina EA, Santymire RM, Benson TJ. Egg Incubation Temperature Affects Development of Innate Immune Function in Nestling American Robins (Turdus migratorius). Physiol Biochem Zool 2020; 93:1-12. [DOI: 10.1086/705361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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8
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Apfelbeck B, Haussmann MF, Boner W, Flinks H, Griffiths K, Illera JC, Mortega KG, Sisson Z, Smiddy P, Helm B. Divergent patterns of telomere shortening in tropical compared to temperate stonechats. Ecol Evol 2019; 9:511-521. [PMID: 30680132 PMCID: PMC6342124 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.4769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2018] [Revised: 11/04/2018] [Accepted: 11/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Telomeres have emerged as important biomarkers of health and senescence as they predict chances of survival in various species. Tropical birds live in more benign environments with lower extrinsic mortality and higher juvenile and adult survival than temperate birds. Therefore, telomere biology may play a more important role in tropical compared to temperate birds. We measured mean telomere length of male stonechats (Saxicola spp.) at four age classes from tropical African and temperate European breeding regions. Tropical and temperate stonechats had similarly long telomeres as nestlings. However, while in tropical stonechats pre-breeding first-years had longer telomeres than nestlings, in temperate stonechats pre-breeding first-years had shorter telomeres than nestlings. During their first breeding season, telomere length was again similar between tropical and temperate stonechats. These patterns may indicate differential survival of high-quality juveniles in tropical environments. Alternatively, more favorable environmental conditions, that is, extended parental care, may enable tropical juveniles to minimize telomere shortening. As suggested by previous studies, our results imply that variation in life history and life span may be reflected in different patterns of telomere shortening rather than telomere length. Our data provide first evidence that distinct selective pressures in tropical and temperate environments may be reflected in diverging patterns of telomere loss in birds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beate Apfelbeck
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative MedicineUniversity of GlasgowGlasgowUK
- Terrestrial Ecology Research Group, Department of Ecology and Ecosystem Management, School of Life Sciences WeihenstephanTechnische Universität MünchenFreisingGermany
| | | | - Winnie Boner
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative MedicineUniversity of GlasgowGlasgowUK
| | | | - Kate Griffiths
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative MedicineUniversity of GlasgowGlasgowUK
| | - Juan Carlos Illera
- Research Unit of Biodiversity (UO‐CSIC‐PA), Oviedo UniversityMieresSpain
| | - Kim G. Mortega
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative MedicineUniversity of GlasgowGlasgowUK
- Department of Migration and Immunoecology, Max‐Planck‐Institut für OrnithologieRadolfzellGermany
- Museum für Naturkunde—Leibniz‐Institut für Evolutions‐und BiodiversitätsforschungBerlinGermany
| | - Zachary Sisson
- Department of BiologyBucknell UniversityLewisburgPennsylvania
| | - Patrick Smiddy
- School of Biological, Earth and Environmental SciencesUniversity College CorkCorkIreland
| | - Barbara Helm
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative MedicineUniversity of GlasgowGlasgowUK
- Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences (GELIFES)University of GroningenGroningenThe Netherlands
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Pyter LM, Bever SR, Khantsis S, Glasper ER. Sexual activity modulates neuroinflammatory responses in male rats. Physiol Behav 2018; 197:42-50. [PMID: 30248302 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2018.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2018] [Revised: 09/11/2018] [Accepted: 09/19/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Immune activity influences reproduction, however, the extent to which mating experience may inversely alter immune pathways is poorly understood. A few studies in humans suggest that mating triggers a circulating immune and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis response. In male rats, mating experience enhances neuroplasticity and improves cognitive function and affective-like behavior, independent of the physical activity component. Yet, the extent to which mating experience may influence immune responses in the brain remain unexplored. Here, we hypothesized that recent mating experience in male rats increases neuroinflammatory signaling (via lipopolysaccharide [LPS] stimulation, i.p.) and associated sickness behaviors (i.e., food intake, weight loss) relative to sexually-naïve controls. Virgin male rats were exposed to a sexually non-receptive (control) or sexually-receptive female for 30 min for six consecutive days. Immediately following the last mating experience, rats were administered a saline or LPS injection and euthanized four hours later. Mating increased Tnfα responses to LPS in the brain, which positively correlated with LPS-induced weight loss. Mating also increased peripheral corticosterone among saline-treated rats, but this corticosterone response was attenuated in the most proficient copulators (e.g., shortest latencies). Thus, recent mating experience may be a unique modulator of select stimulated inflammatory signals that are relevant to adaptive neuroimmune responses and behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leah M Pyter
- Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research, Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA; Departments of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA; Behavioral Neuroendocrinology Group, Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA; Arthur G. James Comprehensive Cancer Center, Solove Research Institute, Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA.
| | - Savannah R Bever
- Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research, Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA; Departments of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Sabina Khantsis
- Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Erica R Glasper
- Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA; Program in Neuroscience and Cognitive Science, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
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Casagrande S, Zsolt Garamszegi L, Goymann W, Donald J, Francis CD, Fuxjager MJ, Husak JF, Johnson MA, Kircher B, Knapp R, Martin LB, Miller ET, Schoenle LA, Vitousek MN, Williams TD, Hau M. Do Seasonal Glucocorticoid Changes Depend on Reproductive Investment? A Comparative Approach in Birds. Integr Comp Biol 2018; 58:739-750. [DOI: 10.1093/icb/icy022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Stefania Casagrande
- Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, Eberhard-Gwinner-Straße, Seewiesen 82319, Germany
| | - László Zsolt Garamszegi
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology, Estación Biológica de Doñana-CSIC, c/Americo Vespucio 26, Seville 41092, Spain
- MTA-ELTE Theoretical Biology and Evolutionary Ecology Research Group, Department of Plant Systematics, Ecology and Theoretical Biology, Eötvös Loránd University, 1117 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Wolfgang Goymann
- Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, Eberhard-Gwinner-Straße, Seewiesen 82319, Germany
| | - Jeremy Donald
- Coates Library, Trinity University, San Antonio, TX 78212, USA
| | - Clinton D Francis
- Biological Sciences Department, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA 93407, USA
| | - Matthew J Fuxjager
- Department of Biology, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC 27109, USA
| | - Jerry F Husak
- Department of Biology, University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, MN 55105, USA
| | - Michele A Johnson
- Department of Biology, Trinity University, San Antonio, TX 78212, USA
| | - Bonnie Kircher
- Department of Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL32608, USA
| | - Rosemary Knapp
- Department of Biology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK 73019, USA
| | - Lynn B Martin
- Department of Global Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33620, USA
| | | | - Laura A Schoenle
- Department of Global Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33620, USA
- Department of Biology, Hamilton College, Clinton, NY 13323, USA
| | - Maren N Vitousek
- Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Tony D Williams
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada V5A 1S6
| | - Michaela Hau
- Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, Eberhard-Gwinner-Straße, Seewiesen 82319, Germany
- Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Universitätsstraße 10, Konstanz 78457, Germany
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11
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Kang SW, Madkour M, Kuenzel WJ. Tissue-Specific Expression of DNA Methyltransferases Involved in Early-Life Nutritional Stress of Chicken, Gallus gallus. Front Genet 2017; 8:204. [PMID: 29270191 PMCID: PMC5723639 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2017.00204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2017] [Accepted: 11/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA methylation was reported as a possible stress-adaptation mechanism involved in the transcriptional regulation of stress responsive genes. Limited data are available on effects of psychological stress and early-life nutritional stress on DNA methylation regulators [DNMTs: DNA (cytosine-5)-methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1), DNMT1 associated protein (DMAP1), DNMT 3 alpha (DNMT3A) and beta (DNMT3B)] in avian species. The objectives of this study were to: (1) investigate changes in expression of DNMT1, DMAP1, DNMT3A, and DNMT3B following acute (AS) or chronic immobilization stress (CS); (2) test immediate effect of early-life nutritional stress [food deprivation (FD) for 12 h (12hFD) or 36 h (36hFD) at the post-hatching period] on expression of DNA methylation regulators and glucocorticoid receptor (GR), and the long-term effect of early-life nutritional stress at 6 weeks of age. Expression of DNMTs and plasma corticosterone (CORT) concentration decreased by CS compared to AS (p < 0.05), indicating differential roles of DNA methylation regulators in the stress response. Plasma CORT at 12hFD and 36hFD birds increased compared to control birds (12hF and 36hF), but there were no significant differences in plasma CORT of 12hFD and 36hFD birds at 6 weeks of age compared to 6 week controls. DNMT1, DMAP1, and DNMT3B expression in the anterior pituitary increased by 12hFD, but decreased at 36hFD compared to their controls (P < 0.05). In liver, DNMT1, DNMT3A, and DNMT3B expression decreased by 12hFD, however, no significant changes occurred at 36hFD. Expression of DMAP1, DNMT3A, and DNMT3B in anterior pituitary and DMAP1 and DNMT3A expression in liver at 6 weeks of age were higher in 36hFD stressed birds compared to controls as well as 12hFD stressed birds. Hepatic GR expression decreased by 12hFD and increased by 36hFD (p < 0.05). Expression patterns of GR in the liver of FD stress-induced birds persisted until 6 weeks of age, suggesting the possible lifelong involvement of liver GR in early-life nutritional stress response of birds. Taken together, results suggest that DNA methylation regulator genes are tissue-specifically responsive to acute and chronic stress, and hepatic GR may play a critical role in regulating the early-life nutritional stress response of birds. In addition, the downregulation of DNMT1 and DMAP1 may be one of the adaptive mechanisms to chronic early-life nutritional stress via passive demethylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seong W. Kang
- Department of Poultry Science, Center of Excellence for Poultry Science, University of Arkansas, FayettevilleAR, United States
| | - Mahmoud Madkour
- Department of Animal Production, National Research CenterGiza, Egypt
| | - Wayne J. Kuenzel
- Department of Poultry Science, Center of Excellence for Poultry Science, University of Arkansas, FayettevilleAR, United States
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