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Pelletier D, Blier PU, Vézina F, Dufresne F, Paquin F, Christen F, Guillemette M. Under pressure-exploring partner changes, physiological responses and telomere dynamics in northern gannets across varying breeding conditions. PeerJ 2023; 11:e16457. [PMID: 38054014 PMCID: PMC10695113 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.16457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Life history theory predicts trade-offs between reproduction and survival in species like the northern gannet (Morus bassanus). During breeding, demanding foraging conditions lead them to expand their foraging range and diversify their diet, increasing the risk of reproductive failure. Changing partners may enhance breeding success but lead to more physiological costs. Methods To investigate the physiological costs of reproduction upon partner changes, we measured and compared 21 biomarkers related to telomere dynamics, oxidative stress, inflammation, hematology, nutritional status, and muscle damage. We used a longitudinal approach with gannets (n = 38) over three contrasting years (2017, 2018 and 2019). Results Our results suggest that annual breeding conditions exert a greater influence on physiological changes than partnership status. Individuals that changed partner experienced greater short-term stress than retained partners. This transient increase in stress was marked by short-term increases in oxidative lipid damage, lower antioxidant capacity, signs of inflammation, and greater weight loss than individuals that retained partners. During favorable conditions, individuals that changed mates had stabilized telomere length, decreased antioxidant capacity, glucose concentration, and muscle damage, along with increased oxygen transport capacity. Conversely, unfavorable breeding conditions led to increased telomere attrition, stabilized antioxidant capacity, decreased inflammation susceptibility, diminished oxygen transport capacity, and increased muscle damage. In the cases where partners were retained, distinct physiological changes were observed depending on the year's conditions, yet the telomere dynamics remained consistent across both partnership status categories. During the favorable year, there was an increase in unsaturated fatty acids and oxygen transport capacity in the blood, coupled with a reduction in inflammation potential and protein catabolism. In contrast, during the unfavorable year in the retained mates, we observed an increase in oxidative DNA damage, antioxidant capacity, weight loss, but a decrease in inflammation susceptibility as observed in changed mates. Discussion Our study shows that behavioral flexibility such as mate switching can help seabirds cope with the challenges of food scarcity during reproduction, but these coping strategies may have a negative impact on physiological status at the individual level. In addition, the marked reduction in telomere length observed during harsh conditions, coupled with the stabilization of telomere length in favorable conditions, highlights the long-term physiological impact of annual breeding conditions on seabirds. These findings underscore the effect on their potential survival and fitness, emphasizing that the influence of annual breeding conditions is greater than that of partnership status.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Pelletier
- Department of Biology, Université du Québec à Rimouski, Rimouski, Québec, Canada
- Department of Biology, Cégep de Rimouski, Rimouski, Québec, Canada
| | - Pierre U. Blier
- Department of Biology, Université du Québec à Rimouski, Rimouski, Québec, Canada
| | - François Vézina
- Department of Biology, Université du Québec à Rimouski, Rimouski, Québec, Canada
| | - France Dufresne
- Department of Biology, Université du Québec à Rimouski, Rimouski, Québec, Canada
| | - Frédérique Paquin
- Department of Biology, Université du Québec à Rimouski, Rimouski, Québec, Canada
| | - Felix Christen
- Department of Biology, Université du Québec à Rimouski, Rimouski, Québec, Canada
| | - Magella Guillemette
- Department of Biology, Université du Québec à Rimouski, Rimouski, Québec, Canada
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Meniri M, Evans E, Thompson FJ, Marshall HH, Nichols HJ, Lewis G, Holt L, Davey E, Mitchell C, Johnstone RA, Cant MA, Blount JD. Untangling the oxidative cost of reproduction: An analysis in wild banded mongooses. Ecol Evol 2022; 12:e8644. [PMID: 35342583 PMCID: PMC8928901 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.8644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 01/15/2022] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The cost of reproduction plays a central role in evolutionary theory, but the identity of the underlying mechanisms remains a puzzle. Oxidative stress has been hypothesized to be a proximate mechanism that may explain the cost of reproduction. We examine three pathways by which oxidative stress could shape reproduction. The "oxidative cost" hypothesis proposes that reproductive effort generates oxidative stress, while the "oxidative constraint" and "oxidative shielding" hypotheses suggest that mothers mitigate such costs through reducing reproductive effort or by pre-emptively decreasing damage levels, respectively. We tested these three mechanisms using data from a long-term food provisioning experiment on wild female banded mongooses (Mungos mungo). Our results show that maternal supplementation did not influence oxidative stress levels, or the production and survival of offspring. However, we found that two of the oxidative mechanisms co-occur during reproduction. There was evidence of an oxidative challenge associated with reproduction that mothers attempted to mitigate by reducing damage levels during breeding. This mitigation is likely to be of crucial importance, as long-term offspring survival was negatively impacted by maternal oxidative stress. This study demonstrates the value of longitudinal studies of wild animals in order to highlight the interconnected oxidative mechanisms that shape the cost of reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magali Meniri
- College of Life & Environmental SciencesCentre for Ecology & ConservationUniversity of ExeterPenrynUK
| | - Elsa Evans
- College of Life & Environmental SciencesCentre for Ecology & ConservationUniversity of ExeterPenrynUK
| | - Faye J. Thompson
- College of Life & Environmental SciencesCentre for Ecology & ConservationUniversity of ExeterPenrynUK
| | - Harry H. Marshall
- College of Life & Environmental SciencesCentre for Ecology & ConservationUniversity of ExeterPenrynUK
- Whitelands CollegeCentre for Research in Ecology, Evolution & BehaviourUniversity of RoehamptonLondonUK
| | | | - Gina Lewis
- Department of BiosciencesSwansea UniversitySwanseaUK
| | - Lauren Holt
- College of Life & Environmental SciencesCentre for Ecology & ConservationUniversity of ExeterPenrynUK
| | - Emma Davey
- College of Life & Environmental SciencesCentre for Ecology & ConservationUniversity of ExeterPenrynUK
| | - Christopher Mitchell
- College of Life & Environmental SciencesCentre for Ecology & ConservationUniversity of ExeterPenrynUK
| | | | - Michael A. Cant
- College of Life & Environmental SciencesCentre for Ecology & ConservationUniversity of ExeterPenrynUK
| | - Jonathan D. Blount
- College of Life & Environmental SciencesCentre for Ecology & ConservationUniversity of ExeterPenrynUK
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Lin Y, Patterson A, Jimenez AG, Elliott K. Altered Oxidative Status as a Cost of Reproduction in a Seabird with High Reproductive Costs. Physiol Biochem Zool 2021; 95:35-53. [PMID: 34846992 DOI: 10.1086/717916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
AbstractLife history theory posits that reproduction is constrained by a cost of reproduction such that any increase in breeding effort should reduce subsequent survival. Oxidative stress refers to an imbalance between the prooxidant reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidant defense. If not thwarted, ROS can cause damage to DNA, lipids, and proteins, potentially increasing the rate of senescence and decreasing cellular function. Reproduction is often associated with higher metabolic rates, which could increase production of ROS and lead to oxidative damage if the animal does not increase antioxidant protection. Thus, oxidative stress could be one mechanism creating a cost of reproduction. In this study we explored how reproduction may affect oxidative status differently between male and female thick-billed murres during early and late breeding seasons over three consecutive years. We manipulated breeding efforts by removing an egg from the nest of some individuals, which forced females to relay, and by handicapping other individuals by clipping wings. We measured total antioxidant capacity (TAC), uric acid (UA) concentration, and malondialdehyde (MDA; an index of lipid oxidative damage) concentration in blood plasma as well as activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and catalase (CAT) in red blood cells. Oxidative status was highly variable across years, and year was consistently the most important factor determining oxidative status; inconsistent results in previous field studies may be because reproductive oxidative stress occurs only in some years. Females had lower SOD and GPx and higher MDA and TAC than males immediately after egg laying, suggesting that the cost of egg laying required investment in cheaper nonenzymatic antioxidant defenses that had lower capacity for defending against lipid peroxidation. Delayed birds had lower UA and lower SOD, GPx, and CAT activity compared with control birds. In conclusion, when reproductive costs increase via higher energy costs or longer breeding seasons, the oxidative status of both male and female murres deteriorated as a result of reduced antioxidant defenses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yimei Lin
- Department of Biology, Colgate University, Hamilton, New York
| | - Allison Patterson
- Department of Natural Resource Sciences, McGill University, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec, Canada
| | | | - Kyle Elliott
- Department of Natural Resource Sciences, McGill University, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec, Canada
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4
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Sawecki J, Miros E, Border SE, Dijkstra PD. Reproduction and maternal care increase oxidative stress in a mouthbrooding cichlid fish. Behav Ecol 2019. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/arz133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractInvestment in reproduction and postzygotic parental care is an energetically costly yet fundamental aspect of the life-history strategies in many species. Recently, oxidative stress has received attention as a potential mediator in the trade-off between reproduction, growth, and survival. During activities that increase metabolic activity, such as providing offspring care, an overproduction of reactive oxygen species can occur that cannot be counteracted by antioxidants, leading to oxidative stress and tissue damage. Here, we investigated the oxidative costs of reproduction and maternal care over the course of the reproductive cycle in a mouthbrooding cichlid fish within socially stable and unstable environments. We manipulated social stability by disrupting the habitat in socially unstable tanks. We expected to see an increase in the burden of maternal care within unstable environments due to increased male harassment of females as a byproduct of increased male–male aggression. We found that brooding females have higher levels of oxidative stress than nonbrooding females and oxidative stress fluctuates throughout the reproductive cycle. These fluctuations were driven by a spike in reactive oxygen metabolites at the beginning of brood care followed by an increase in antioxidant defense. Surprisingly, the link between reproduction and oxidative stress was not different between females from stable or unstable environments. Our study illustrates a more complete picture of the physiological costs of reproduction and parental care throughout different stages of care rather than a simplistic end-point observation of how reproduction and parental care affect an individual.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob Sawecki
- Department of Biology, Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, MI, USA
| | - Emily Miros
- Department of Biology, Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, MI, USA
| | - Shana E Border
- Department of Biology, Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, MI, USA
| | - Peter D Dijkstra
- Department of Biology, Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, MI, USA
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5
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Use of plumage and gular pouch color to evaluate condition of oil spill rehabilitated California brown pelicans (Pelecanus occidentalis californicus) post-release. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0211932. [PMID: 30811430 PMCID: PMC6392258 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0211932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2018] [Accepted: 01/24/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Sublethal effects of oil spills may dampen seabird rehabilitation success due to lingering negative impacts of contamination and stress on reproduction and long-term survival. These effects can be difficult to measure while birds are in care as well as once birds are released. Expression of sexually selected traits that are sensitive to condition can provide information on physiological status of birds. We evaluated plumage molt and gular pouch skin color of California brown pelicans (Pelecanus occidentalis californicus) following oil contamination and rehabilitation to test for differences between previously oiled and rehabilitated (post-spill) and presumably uncontaminated pelicans. Post-spill pelicans released with either color leg bands alone, or bands plus harness-mounted satellite GPS tags, were relocated and visually assessed in the field at non-breeding communal roosts and compared to surrounding unmarked pelicans in the general population. Non-oiled pelicans bearing GPS tags were also included in the study. Post-spill pelicans lagged the general population in molt of ornamental yellow crown feathers but hind neck transition into white plumage was not significantly different. Both post-spill and non-oiled pelicans wearing GPS tags had lower gular redness scores than the unmarked, non-oiled population. Pre-breeding gular pouch redness of post-spill pelicans was more strongly influenced by wearing of a GPS tag than a history of oil contamination and rehabilitation. Gular pouch redness of post-spill pelicans in the first 18 months after release was positively correlated with long term survivorship. If gular pouch color is a condition-dependent sexual signal and overall health influences plumage molt progression, our results indicate that many post-spill pelicans marked with bands alone were in relatively good condition going into the next breeding season, but those released with electronic tags experienced additional stress due to wearing the equipment, introducing a confounding variable to the post-release study.
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Webb AC, Iverson JB, Knapp CR, DeNardo DF, French SS. Energetic investment associated with vitellogenesis induces an oxidative cost of reproduction. J Anim Ecol 2019; 88:461-472. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.12936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2018] [Accepted: 11/12/2018] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Alison C. Webb
- Department of Biology; Utah State University; Logan Utah
- Ecology Center; Utah State University; Logan Utah
| | | | - Charles R. Knapp
- Daniel P. Haerther Center for Conservation and Research; John G. Shedd Aquarium; Chicago Illinois
| | - Dale F. DeNardo
- School of Life Sciences; Arizona State University; Tempe Arizona
| | - Susannah S. French
- Department of Biology; Utah State University; Logan Utah
- Ecology Center; Utah State University; Logan Utah
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Kouyoumdjian L, Gangloff EJ, Souchet J, Cordero GA, Dupoué A, Aubret F. Transplanting gravid lizards to high elevation alters maternal and embryonic oxygen physiology, but not reproductive success or hatchling phenotype. J Exp Biol 2019; 222:jeb.206839. [DOI: 10.1242/jeb.206839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2019] [Accepted: 06/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Increased global temperatures have opened previously inhospitable habitats, such as at higher elevations. However, the reduction of oxygen partial pressure with increase in elevation represents an important physiological constraint that may limit colonization of such habitats, even if the thermal niche is appropriate. To test the mechanisms underlying the response to ecologically-relevant levels of hypoxia, we performed a translocation experiment with the common wall lizard (Podarcis muralis), a widespread European lizard amenable to establishing populations outside its natural range. We investigated the impacts of hypoxia on the oxygen physiology and reproductive output of gravid common wall lizards and the subsequent development and morphology of their offspring. Lowland females transplanted to high elevations increased their haematocrit and haemoglobin concentration within days and maintained routine metabolism compared to lizards kept at native elevations. However, transplanted lizards suffered from increased reactive oxygen metabolite production near the oviposition date, suggesting a cost of reproduction at high elevation. Transplanted females and females native to different elevations did not differ in reproductive output (clutch size, egg mass, relative clutch mass, or embryonic stage at oviposition) or in post-oviposition body condition. Developing embryos reduced heart rates and prolonged incubation times at high elevations within the native range and at extreme high elevations beyond the current range, but this reduced oxygen availability did not affect metabolic rate, hatching success, or hatchling size. These results suggest that this opportunistic colonizer is capable of successfully responding to novel environmental constraints in these important life-history stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Kouyoumdjian
- Station d'Ecologie Théorique et Expérimentale du CNRS – UMR 5321, Moulis, France
| | - Eric J. Gangloff
- Station d'Ecologie Théorique et Expérimentale du CNRS – UMR 5321, Moulis, France
| | - Jérémie Souchet
- Station d'Ecologie Théorique et Expérimentale du CNRS – UMR 5321, Moulis, France
| | - Gerardo A. Cordero
- Fachbereich Geowissenschaften, Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Andréaz Dupoué
- CNRS UPMC, UMR 7618, iEES Paris, Université Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris, France
| | - Fabien Aubret
- Station d'Ecologie Théorique et Expérimentale du CNRS – UMR 5321, Moulis, France
- School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, 6102 WA, Australia
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Williams TD. Physiology, activity and costs of parental care in birds. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018; 221:221/17/jeb169433. [PMID: 30201656 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.169433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Parental care is assumed to be costly in that it requires sustained, high-intensity activity sufficient to cause costs of reproduction (decreased survival and future fecundity of parents). Costs of reproduction are, in turn, thought to have a physiological basis where intense activity causes a decrease in parental condition. However, attempts to identify the physiological basis of costs of reproduction have produced mixed results. Here, I argue that in birds, the central idea that parental care represents sustained, high-intensity work might be incorrect. Specifically: (a) the duration of intense activity associated with chick-rearing might be quite limited; (b) flight, the most obvious sustained, high-intensity activity, might only represent a small component of an individual's overall activity budget; (c) some (high-quality) individuals might be able to tolerate costs of intense activity, either owing to their physiological state or because they have access to more resources, without perturbation of physiological homeostasis; and (d) individuals might utilise other mechanisms to modulate costs of activity, for example, mass loss, again avoiding more substantial physiological costs. Furthermore, I highlight the important fact that life-history theory predicts that reproductive trade-offs should only be expected under food stress. Most birds breed in spring and early summer precisely because of seasonal increases in food abundance, and so it is unclear how often parents are food stressed. Consequently, I argue that there are many reasons why costs of reproduction, and any physiological signature of these costs, might be quite rare, both temporally (in different years) and among individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tony D Williams
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada V5A 1S6
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