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Armstrong HC, Russell DJF, Moss SEW, Pomeroy P, Bennett KA. Fitness correlates of blubber oxidative stress and cellular defences in grey seals (Halichoerus grypus): support for the life-history-oxidative stress theory from an animal model of simultaneous lactation and fasting. Cell Stress Chaperones 2023; 28:551-566. [PMID: 36933172 PMCID: PMC10469160 DOI: 10.1007/s12192-023-01332-1] [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: 07/05/2022] [Revised: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Life-history-oxidative stress theory predicts that elevated energy costs during reproduction reduce allocation to defences and increase cellular stress, with fitness consequences, particularly when resources are limited. As capital breeders, grey seals are a natural system in which to test this theory. We investigated oxidative damage (malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration) and cellular defences (relative mRNA abundance of heat shock proteins (Hsps) and redox enzymes (REs)) in blubber of wild female grey seals during the lactation fast (n = 17) and summer foraging (n = 13). Transcript abundance of Hsc70 increased, and Nox4, a pro-oxidant enzyme, decreased throughout lactation. Foraging females had higher mRNA abundance of some Hsps and lower RE transcript abundance and MDA concentrations, suggesting they experienced lower oxidative stress than lactating mothers, which diverted resources into pup rearing at the expense of blubber tissue damage. Lactation duration and maternal mass loss rate were both positively related to pup weaning mass. Pups whose mothers had higher blubber glutathione-S-transferase (GST) expression at early lactation gained mass more slowly. Higher glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and lower catalase (CAT) were associated with longer lactation but reduced maternal transfer efficiency and lower pup weaning mass. Cellular stress, and the ability to mount effective cellular defences, could proscribe lactation strategy in grey seal mothers and thus affect pup survival probability. These data support the life-history-oxidative stress hypothesis in a capital breeding mammal and suggest lactation is a period of heightened vulnerability to environmental factors that exacerbate cellular stress. Fitness consequences of stress may thus be accentuated during periods of rapid environmental change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Holly C Armstrong
- Marine Biology and Ecology Research Centre, Plymouth University, Drake Circus, Plymouth, PL4 8AA, UK.
- School of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, KY16 9JP, UK.
| | - Debbie J F Russell
- Sea Mammal Research Unit, Scottish Oceans Institute, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, KY16 8LB, UK
| | - Simon E W Moss
- Sea Mammal Research Unit, Scottish Oceans Institute, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, KY16 8LB, UK
| | - Paddy Pomeroy
- Sea Mammal Research Unit, Scottish Oceans Institute, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, KY16 8LB, UK
| | - Kimberley A Bennett
- Division of Health Science, School of Applied Sciences, Abertay University, Dundee, DD1 1HG, UK
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Muñoz-Mayorga D, Tovar A, Díaz-Muñoz M, Morales T. Lactation attenuates pro-oxidant reactions in the maternal brain. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2023; 565:111888. [PMID: 36804275 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2023.111888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2022] [Revised: 01/28/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023]
Abstract
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are intimately linked to bioenergetics and redox biology, contributing to cellular functioning and physiological signaling, but also acting as toxic agents during oxidative stress. Hence, the balance between pro-oxidant reactions and the activity of antioxidant defenses sustains a basal oxidative status, controls the increase of redox signaling, and mediates potential pathological events during oxidative stress. Maternal experience, especially during nursing, requires high energetic demands and expenditure to ensure the well-being of the offspring. The mother must adapt from satisfying her own needs to additionally fulfilling those of her descendants. Oxidative stress has been proposed as one of the reproductive trade-off hallmarks. However, the oxidative shielding hypothesis has also been proposed in the context of reproduction. The reproductive experience induces a wide range of well-documented changes in the female brain, which potentially lead to protection against the enhanced oxidative activity. To date, the metabolic and cellular mechanisms that underlie lactation-induced neuroprotection against oxidants are unknown. The neuroendocrine changes in the brain of the lactating dam promote diminished propensity to excitotoxic brain injury and stress, as well as enhanced neuroprotection and plasticity. In addition to review studies on the oxidant balance due to motherhood, we included new data from our laboratory, addressing the importance of measuring pro-oxidant reactions in separated brain regions. The hippocampus of lactating rats exhibits lower levels of pro-oxidant reactions than that of virgin rats, supporting the oxidative shielding hypothesis in lactation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Muñoz-Mayorga
- Departamento de Neurobiología Celular y Molecular, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Querétaro, Mexico
| | - Adriana Tovar
- Departamento de Neurobiología Celular y Molecular, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Querétaro, Mexico
| | - Mauricio Díaz-Muñoz
- Departamento de Neurobiología Celular y Molecular, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Querétaro, Mexico
| | - Teresa Morales
- Departamento de Neurobiología Celular y Molecular, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Querétaro, Mexico.
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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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Przybylska AS, Wojciechowski MS, Jefimow M. Photoresponsiveness affects life history traits but not oxidative status in a seasonal rodent. Front Zool 2019; 16:11. [PMID: 31019542 PMCID: PMC6471882 DOI: 10.1186/s12983-019-0311-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2019] [Accepted: 03/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Shortening photoperiod triggers seasonal adjustments like cessation of reproduction, molting and heterothermy. However there is a considerable among-individual variation in photoresponsiveness within one population. Although seasonal adjustments are considered beneficial to winter survival, and natural selection should favor the individuals responding to changes in photoperiod (responders), the phenotype non-responding to changes in day length is maintained in population. Assuming the same resource availability for both phenotypes which differ in strategy of winter survival, we hypothesized that they should differ in life history traits. To test this we compared reproductive traits of two extreme phenotypes of Siberian hamster Phodopus sungorus - responding and non-responding to seasonal changes in photoperiod. We bred individuals of the same phenotype and measured time to first parturition, time interval between litters, offspring body mass 3, 10 and 18 days after birth and their growth rate. We also analyzed nest-building behavior. Additionally, we estimated the correlation between reproduction, and basal metabolic rate (BMR) and oxidative status in both phenotypes to infer about the effect of reproductive output on future investments in somatic maintenance. Results Prior to reproduction responding individuals were smaller than non-responding ones, but this difference disappeared after reproduction. Responding pairs commenced breeding later than non-responding ones but there was no difference in time interval between consecutive litters. Responders delivered smaller offspring than non-responders and more out of responding individuals built the nest during winter than non-responding ones. Reproduction did not affect future investments in somatic maintenance. Phenotypes did not differ in BMR and oxidative status after reproduction. However, concentration of reactive oxygen metabolites (ROM) was highest in responding males, and biological antioxidant potential (BAP) was higher in males of both phenotypes than in females. Conclusions Delayed breeding in responding Siberian hamsters and high ROM concentration in male responders support our hypothesis that differences in adjustment to winter result in different life history characteristics which may explain coexistence of both phenotypes in a population. We propose that polymorphism in photoresponsiveness may be beneficial in stochastic environment, where environmental conditions differ between winters. We suggest that non-responding phenotype may be particularly beneficial during mild winter, whereas responders would be favored under harsh conditions. Therefore, none of the phenotypes is impaired when compared to the other.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna S Przybylska
- 1Department of Vertebrate Zoology, Nicolaus Copernicus University, ul. Lwowska 1, 87-100 Toruń, Poland
| | - Michał S Wojciechowski
- 1Department of Vertebrate Zoology, Nicolaus Copernicus University, ul. Lwowska 1, 87-100 Toruń, Poland
| | - Małgorzata Jefimow
- 2Department of Animal Physiology, Nicolaus Copernicus University, ul. Lwowska 1, 87-100 Toruń, Poland
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Jothery AHA, Vaanholt LM, Mody N, Arnous A, Lykkesfeldt J, Bünger L, Hill WG, Mitchell SE, Allison DB, Speakman JR. Oxidative costs of reproduction in mouse strains selected for different levels of food intake and which differ in reproductive performance. Sci Rep 2016; 6:36353. [PMID: 27841266 PMCID: PMC5107891 DOI: 10.1038/srep36353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2016] [Accepted: 09/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Oxidative damage caused by reactive oxygen species has been hypothesised to underpin the trade-off between reproduction and somatic maintenance, i.e., the life-history-oxidative stress theory. Previous tests of this hypothesis have proved equivocal, and it has been suggested that the variation in responses may be related to the tissues measured. Here, we measured oxidative damage (protein carbonyls, 8-OHdG) and antioxidant protection (enzymatic antioxidant activity and serum antioxidant capacity) in multiple tissues of reproductive (R) and non-reproductive (N) mice from two mouse strains selectively bred for high (H) or low (L) food intake, which differ in their reproductive performance, i.e., H mice have increased milk energy output (MEO) and wean larger pups. Levels of oxidative damage were unchanged (liver) or reduced (brain and serum) in R versus N mice, and no differences in multiple measures of oxidative protection were found between H and L mice in liver (except for Glutathione Peroxidase), brain or mammary glands. Also, there were no associations between an individual’s energetic investment (e.g., MEO) and most of the oxidative stress measures detected in various tissues. These data are inconsistent with the oxidative stress theory, but were more supportive of, but not completely consistent, with the ‘oxidative shielding’ hypothesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aqeel H Al Jothery
- Institute of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB24 2TZ, UK.,Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Karbala, Karbala, Iraq
| | - Lobke M Vaanholt
- Institute of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB24 2TZ, UK
| | - Nimesh Mody
- Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, College of Life Sciences and Medicine, Foresterhill Health Campus, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Anis Arnous
- Section of Experimental Animal Models, Faculty of Health &Medical Sciences,University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jens Lykkesfeldt
- Section of Experimental Animal Models, Faculty of Health &Medical Sciences,University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Lutz Bünger
- Animal and Veterinary Science Group, Scotland's Rural College (SRUC), Edinburgh EH9 3JG, UK
| | - William G Hill
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3JT, UK
| | - Sharon E Mitchell
- Institute of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB24 2TZ, UK
| | - David B Allison
- School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - John R Speakman
- Institute of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB24 2TZ, UK.,Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China
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Tan S, Wen J, Shi LL, Wang CM, Wang GY, Zhao ZJ. The increase in fat content in the warm-acclimated striped hamsters is associated with the down-regulated metabolic thermogenesis. Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 2016; 201:162-172. [PMID: 27470945 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2016.07.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2016] [Revised: 07/18/2016] [Accepted: 07/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
It has been well known that metabolic thermogenesis plays an important role in the thermoregulation of small mammals under different temperatures, while its role in fat accumulation is far from clear. In the present study, several physiological, hormonal, and biochemical measures indicative of metabolic thermogenesis were measured in the weaning striped hamsters after acclimated to a warm condition (30°C) for 1, 3 and 4months. The warm-acclimated groups significantly decreased energy intake, and simultaneously decreased nonshivering thermogenesis compared to those housed at 21°C. Body fat content increased by 29.9%, 22.1% and 19.6% in the hamsters acclimated to 1, 3 or 4months, respectively relative to their counterparts maintain at 21°C (P<0.05). The cytochrome c oxidase (COX) activity of brain, liver, heart and skeletal muscle, and the ratio of serum tri-iodothyronine to thyroxine significantly decreased in warm-acclimated groups compared with 21°C group. COX activity and uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) mRNA expression of brown adipose tissue (BAT) were significantly down-regulated under the warm conditions. COX activity of BAT, liver, heart and muscle were significantly negatively correlated with body fat content, and the correlation between UCP1 expression and body fat content tended to be negative. These findings suggest that the decrease in the energy spent on metabolic thermogenesis plays an important role in the fat accumulation. The attenuation of COX and UCP1-based BAT activity may be involved in body fat accumulation in animals under warm conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Song Tan
- College of Life and Environmental Science, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325035, China
| | - Jing Wen
- College of Life and Environmental Science, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325035, China
| | - Lu-Lu Shi
- College of Life and Environmental Science, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325035, China
| | - Chun-Ming Wang
- School of Agricultural Science, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, Shandong 252059, China
| | - Gui-Ying Wang
- College of Life Science, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, Shandong 252059, China
| | - Zhi-Jun Zhao
- College of Life and Environmental Science, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325035, China.
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