1
|
Charlanne LM, Chaise L, Sornette D, Piot E, McCafferty DJ, Ancel A, Gilbert C. Breaking the fast: first report of dives and ingestion events in molting southern elephant seals. Commun Biol 2024; 7:64. [PMID: 38191678 PMCID: PMC10774426 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05720-2] [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: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Southern elephant seals (SES) experience a 'catastrophic molt', a costly event characterized by the renewal of both hair and epidermis that requires high peripheral vascular circulation. Molting animals are therefore constrained by high metabolic heat loss and are thought to fast and remain on land. To examine the ability of individuals to balance the energetic constraints of molting on land we investigate the stomach temperature and movement patterns of molting female SES. We find that 79% of females swam and 61% ingested water or prey items, despite the cost of cold-water exposure while molting. This behavior was related to periods of warm and low wind conditions, and females that dived and ingested more often, lost less body mass. We conclude that the paradigm of fasting during the molt in this species, and the fitness consequences of this behavior should be reconsidered, especially in the context of a changing climate.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura M Charlanne
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, IPHC UMR 7178, F-67000, Strasbourg, France.
| | - Laureline Chaise
- Hex·Data, 847 Route de Frans, 69400, Villefranche-sur-Saône, France
| | - Damien Sornette
- Hex·Data, 847 Route de Frans, 69400, Villefranche-sur-Saône, France
| | - Erwan Piot
- CNRS UMR5536, Université de Bordeaux, 33076, Bordeaux, France
- UMR 7179, CNRS/MNHN, Laboratoire MECADEV, 1 avenue du petit château, 91400, Brunoy, France
| | - Dominic J McCafferty
- Scottish Centre for Ecology and the Natural Environment, School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine, College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - André Ancel
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, IPHC UMR 7178, F-67000, Strasbourg, France
| | - Caroline Gilbert
- UMR 7179, CNRS/MNHN, Laboratoire MECADEV, 1 avenue du petit château, 91400, Brunoy, France
- Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, 7 avenue du Général de Gaulle, 94704, Maisons-Alfort, France
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
McHuron EA, Adamczak S, Costa DP, Booth C. Estimating reproductive costs in marine mammal bioenergetic models: a review of current knowledge and data availability. CONSERVATION PHYSIOLOGY 2023; 11:coac080. [PMID: 36685328 PMCID: PMC9845964 DOI: 10.1093/conphys/coac080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2022] [Revised: 11/26/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Reproductive costs represent a significant proportion of a mammalian female's energy budget. Estimates of reproductive costs are needed for understanding how alterations to energy budgets, such as those from environmental variation or human activities, impact maternal body condition, vital rates and population dynamics. Such questions are increasingly important for marine mammals, as many populations are faced with rapidly changing and increasingly disturbed environments. Here we review the different energetic costs that marine mammals incur during gestation and lactation and how those costs are typically estimated in bioenergetic models. We compiled data availability on key model parameters for each species across all six marine mammal taxonomic groups (mysticetes, odontocetes, pinnipeds, sirenians, mustelids and ursids). Pinnipeds were the best-represented group regarding data availability, including estimates of milk intake, milk composition, lactation duration, birth mass, body composition at birth and growth. There were still considerable data gaps, particularly for polar species, and good data were only available across all parameters in 45% of pinniped species. Cetaceans and sirenians were comparatively data-poor, with some species having little or no data for any parameters, particularly beaked whales. Even for species with moderate data coverage, many parameter estimates were tentative or based on indirect approaches, necessitating reevaluation of these estimates. We discuss mechanisms and factors that affect maternal energy investment or prey requirements during reproduction, such as prey supplementation by offspring, metabolic compensation, environmental conditions and maternal characteristics. Filling the existing data gaps highlighted in this review, particularly for parameters that are influential on bioenergetic model outputs, will help refine reproductive costs estimated from bioenergetic models and better address how and when energy imbalances are likely to affect marine mammal populations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth A McHuron
- Corresponding author: Cooperative Institute for Climate, Ocean, and Ecosystem Studies, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98105, USA.
| | - Stephanie Adamczak
- Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Department, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064, USA
| | - Daniel P Costa
- Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Department, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064, USA
| | - Cormac Booth
- SMRU Consulting, Scottish Oceans Institute, St Andrews, UK
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Liu X, Wu Y, Liu C, Chen K, Gregersen H. Development of an Ingestible Expandable Capsule for Weight Loss. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:16821. [PMID: 36554702 PMCID: PMC9779746 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192416821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Revised: 12/04/2022] [Accepted: 12/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Obesity has grown to epidemic proportions with 2.1 billion people being overweight worldwide. A food-grade expandable capsule named EndoXpand for the treatment of overweight people was designed and developed in this study. EndoXpand consists of an inner expandable material (core), an embracing membrane, and a gelatin capsule shell. It is designed to occupy volume in the stomach and reduce hunger sensation. The occupied volume is changeable over time, dependent on the number of ingested capsules and their degradation time. This will avoid gastric accommodation to constant volume devices as seen in the use of intragastric balloons. Several materials were tested. Collagen casing was selected as the membrane and corn silk was used to tie the membrane. Dried black fungus (Auricularia auricula) was the biological material that expanded most. However, synthesized cellulose-based hydrogel expanded more and was chosen as the optimal expandable core material. The hydrogel-based EndoXpand expanded 72 times after soaking in an acidic environment for 80 min. The corn silk ligations weakened and broke after 3 h. This resulted in release of the expanded material that was designed to easily pass the pylorus and travel down the intestine for digestion or excretion. In conclusion, this study provides design and in vitro proof-of-technology data for a potential groundbreaking approach. Further studies are needed in animal models and human phase I studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xingyu Liu
- Graduate School, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing 401331, China
| | - Yeung Wu
- Department of Surgery, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Chang Liu
- Department of Surgery, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Kaiqi Chen
- Department of Surgery, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Hans Gregersen
- GIOME, California Medical Innovations Institute, San Diego, CA 92121, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Nan K, Feig VR, Ying B, Howarth JG, Kang Z, Yang Y, Traverso G. Mucosa-interfacing electronics. NATURE REVIEWS. MATERIALS 2022; 7:908-925. [PMID: 36124042 PMCID: PMC9472746 DOI: 10.1038/s41578-022-00477-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The surface mucosa that lines many of our organs houses myriad biometric signals and, therefore, has great potential as a sensor-tissue interface for high-fidelity and long-term biosensing. However, progress is still nascent for mucosa-interfacing electronics owing to challenges with establishing robust sensor-tissue interfaces; device localization, retention and removal; and power and data transfer. This is in sharp contrast to the rapidly advancing field of skin-interfacing electronics, which are replacing traditional hospital visits with minimally invasive, real-time, continuous and untethered biosensing. This Review aims to bridge the gap between skin-interfacing electronics and mucosa-interfacing electronics systems through a comparison of the properties and functions of the skin and internal mucosal surfaces. The major physiological signals accessible through mucosa-lined organs are surveyed and design considerations for the next generation of mucosa-interfacing electronics are outlined based on state-of-the-art developments in bio-integrated electronics. With this Review, we aim to inspire hardware solutions that can serve as a foundation for developing personalized biosensing from the mucosa, a relatively uncharted field with great scientific and clinical potential.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kewang Nan
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA USA
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endoscopy, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA USA
| | - Vivian R. Feig
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endoscopy, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA USA
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA USA
| | - Binbin Ying
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA USA
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endoscopy, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA USA
| | - Julia G. Howarth
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA USA
| | - Ziliang Kang
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA USA
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endoscopy, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA USA
| | - Yiyuan Yang
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA USA
| | - Giovanni Traverso
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA USA
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endoscopy, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Age as a primary driver of the gut microbial composition and function in wild harbor seals. Sci Rep 2022; 12:14641. [PMID: 36030345 PMCID: PMC9420123 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-18565-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Dietary changes are the major variation cause in the composition of the gut microbiota. The short lactation phase in phocids provides an exceptional opportunity to explore the microbiota's response to a quick transition from a milk-based to a solid diet. We investigated the effects of age and sex on the gut microbiota of harbor seals in Mexico using rectal and fecal samples from pups and adults. 16S gene sequencing revealed age explains most of the observed variations in microbial composition. Individuals with frequent contact (pups-female adults) have major microbial similarities than those with little or no contact (pups-male adults). Overall, adults and females (regardless of sex and age, respectively) have a greater microbial richness; as seals grow, the core microbiome shrinks, and microbial diversity increases. We found pathways related to milk and chitin digestion in pups' microbiomes, indicating pups were transitioning to a solid diet. An enrichment of routes related to dramatic weight loss and body mass indicated higher metabolic stress in pups in late breeding season, when they are weaned and start intermittent fasting. Our findings highlight the host-microbiome interaction in harbor seals during late breeding season in response to food shifts and metabolic stress.
Collapse
|
6
|
Liu X, Steiger C, Lin S, Parada GA, Liu J, Chan HF, Yuk H, Phan NV, Collins J, Tamang S, Traverso G, Zhao X. Ingestible hydrogel device. Nat Commun 2019; 10:493. [PMID: 30700712 PMCID: PMC6353937 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-08355-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2018] [Accepted: 12/20/2018] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Devices that interact with living organisms are typically made of metals, silicon, ceramics, and plastics. Implantation of such devices for long-term monitoring or treatment generally requires invasive procedures. Hydrogels offer new opportunities for human-machine interactions due to their superior mechanical compliance and biocompatibility. Additionally, oral administration, coupled with gastric residency, serves as a non-invasive alternative to implantation. Achieving gastric residency with hydrogels requires the hydrogels to swell very rapidly and to withstand gastric mechanical forces over time. However, high swelling ratio, high swelling speed, and long-term robustness do not coexist in existing hydrogels. Here, we introduce a hydrogel device that can be ingested as a standard-sized pill, swell rapidly into a large soft sphere, and maintain robustness under repeated mechanical loads in the stomach for up to one month. Large animal tests support the exceptional performance of the ingestible hydrogel device for long-term gastric retention and physiological monitoring.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xinyue Liu
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Christoph Steiger
- The David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Shaoting Lin
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - German Alberto Parada
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Ji Liu
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Hon Fai Chan
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
- Institute for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Hyunwoo Yuk
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Nhi V Phan
- The David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Joy Collins
- The David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Siddartha Tamang
- The David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Giovanni Traverso
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
- The David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Xuanhe Zhao
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA.
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Chaise LL, McCafferty DJ, Krellenstein A, Gallon SL, Paterson WD, Théry M, Ancel A, Gilbert C. Environmental and physiological determinants of huddling behavior of molting female southern elephant seals (Mirounga leonina). Physiol Behav 2018; 199:182-190. [PMID: 30385351 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2018.10.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2018] [Revised: 09/21/2018] [Accepted: 10/28/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
While endotherms can rely on their insulation to reduce heat loss to adapt to cold environments, renewing of fur during molt impairs insulation while they have to perfuse the periphery to support epidermal tissues. The southern elephant seal Mirounga leonina undertakes an annual catastrophic molt while fasting on land in a wet, windy and cold environment. However, southern elephant seals show characteristic aggregation patterns that are predicted to reduce high metabolic costs during the molt. Between 2012 and 2016, 59 female elephant seals were tracked on land during their molt to study their aggregation behavior in relation to molt stage, habitat type and local weather conditions. Infrared thermography and stomach temperature loggers were used to observe variation in body surface and internal temperature in relation to molt stage and aggregation behavior. We found that thermal constraints varied during the molt, with a peak in surface temperature during the mid-stage of the molt. Wallows (mud pools) appear as favorable habitat to aggregate while molting. Indeed, wallows offered a warmer microclimate with greater ground temperature and lower wind speed. Moreover, there was a greater proportion of aggregated seals and larger group size in wallows. These aggregation patterns in wallows were influenced by local weather such that a greater proportion of seals were located in the center of the aggregation, and larger group size occurred during days of unfavorable meteorological conditions. We also observed a higher proportion of seals at mid-stage of molt amongst aggregated seals compared to isolated individuals. This aggregation behavior may reduce the cost of thermogenesis as surface body temperature and stomach temperature were cooler by 1.0 °C and 1.5 °C, respectively, in aggregated compared to isolated seals. As a consequence, huddling behavior may be thermally advantageous for female southern elephant seals during the molt.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laureline L Chaise
- Laboratoire MECADEV, UMR 7179 CNRS/MNHN, 1 avenue du petit château, 91800 Brunoy, France.
| | - Dominic J McCafferty
- Scottish Centre for Ecology and the Natural Environment, Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Rowardennan, Glasgow G63 0AW, UK
| | - Adélie Krellenstein
- Laboratoire MECADEV, UMR 7179 CNRS/MNHN, 1 avenue du petit château, 91800 Brunoy, France
| | - Susan L Gallon
- Scottish Centre for Ecology and the Natural Environment, Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Rowardennan, Glasgow G63 0AW, UK
| | - William D Paterson
- Sea Mammal Research Unit, Scottish Oceans Institute, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Fife KY16 8LB, UK
| | - Marc Théry
- Laboratoire MECADEV, UMR 7179 CNRS/MNHN, 1 avenue du petit château, 91800 Brunoy, France
| | - André Ancel
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, IPHC UMR 7178, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Caroline Gilbert
- Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Ethologie, 7 avenue du Général de Gaulle, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France; Laboratoire MECADEV, UMR 7179 CNRS/MNHN, 1 avenue du petit château, 91800 Brunoy, France
| |
Collapse
|