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Viola MF, Gerardo Herrera M L, da Cruz-Neto AP. The acute phase response in bats (Carollia perspicillata) varies with time and dose of the immune challenge. J Exp Biol 2022; 225:286160. [PMID: 36448935 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.244583] [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: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
The acute phase response (APR) is a core component of the innate immune response and represents the first line of immune defense used in response to infections. Although several studies with vertebrates reported fever, a decrease in food intake and body mass, and an increase in neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio and total white blood cell count after lipopolysaccharide (LPS) inoculation, there was great variability in the magnitude of these responses. Some of these differences might reflect, to some extent, differences in the time of endotoxin inoculation (during active or rest periods) and dose. Therefore, our study tested the interplay between LPS dose and time of injection on selected physiological (fever and increase in total white blood cell count and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio) and behavioral (food intake) components of the APR using a Neotropical fruit-eating bat (Carollia perspicillata) as a model organism. We predicted that LPS would trigger a dose- and time-dependent response in APR components. APR components were assessed in rest and active periods after injection of three doses of LPS (5, 10 and 15 mg kg-1 LPS). The results indicate a more robust decrease in food intake at higher doses during the active period, while increased neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio was more robust during the active period regardless of dose. Furthermore, the skin temperature increase lasted longer at higher doses regardless of the timing of injections. Our study offers important insights into the dependence of time as well as the LPS dosage effect in the APR of bats, and how they deal with the magnitude of infections at different times of day.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matheus F Viola
- Laboratório de Fisiologia Animal (LaFA), Departamento de Biodiversidade, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho, 13506-900 Rio Claro, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - L Gerardo Herrera M
- Estación de Biología Chamela, Instituto de Biología, Universidad Nacional, Autónoma de México, 48980 San Patricio, Jalisco, México
| | - Ariovaldo P da Cruz-Neto
- Laboratório de Fisiologia Animal (LaFA), Departamento de Biodiversidade, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho, 13506-900 Rio Claro, São Paulo, Brazil
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2
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Montoya B, Gil D, Valverde M, Rojas E, Pérez-Rodríguez L. DNA Integrity Estimated via the Comet Assay Reflects Oxidative Stress and Competitive Disadvantage in Developing Birds. Physiol Biochem Zool 2021; 93:384-395. [PMID: 32780628 DOI: 10.1086/710703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
AbstractIncreases in DNA degradation have been detected in numerous situations in which organisms are exposed to pollutants. However, outside of the ecotoxicological literature, few studies have investigated whether there exists important variation in DNA integrity in free-living, healthy animals. Using the alkaline version of the comet assay to estimate DNA integrity in blood samples, we aimed to evaluate whether DNA integrity during early life is associated with nestlings' age, body mass, within-brood status, and oxidative stress using nestlings from a wild population of spotless starlings (Sturnus unicolor) as a model. We found important levels of variation in DNA integrity, suggesting the possibility that DNA integrity may have implications for offspring fitness. DNA integrity was dependent on the developmental stage, being lower at hatching than at the end of the nestling period. DNA integrity was also negatively related to the levels of oxidative damage at hatching and positively associated with wing length at fledging. In addition, position within the size hierarchy of the brood at fledging explained differences in DNA integrity, with higher levels in core than in marginal nestlings. Finally, despite extensive within-individual variation along nestling's age, we found DNA integrity during early life to be moderately repeatable within broods. Hence, DNA integrity in early life appears to be mainly affected by environmental factors, such as natural stressors. Our results suggest that measuring the variation in DNA integrity may be a fruitful approach for the assessment of individual fitness in natural populations and can be applied to studies in developmental biology and ecology.
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Gormally BMG, Estrada R, McVey M, Romero LM. Beyond corticosterone: The acute stress response increases DNA damage in house sparrows. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL ZOOLOGY PART 2020; 333:595-606. [PMID: 32798291 DOI: 10.1002/jez.2405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2020] [Accepted: 08/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Although corticosterone (Cort) has been the predominant metric used to assess acute stress in birds, it does not always accurately reflect how an animal copes with a stressor. Downstream measurements may be more reliable. In the current study, we tested the hypothesis that acute increases in DNA damage could be used to assess stressor exposure. Studies have shown DNA damage increases in response to stress-related hormones in vitro; however, this has not yet been thoroughly applied in wild animals. We exposed house sparrows (Passer domesticus) to a 30- or 120-min restraint stressor and took blood samples at 0, 30, 60, and 120 min to measure Cort, DNA damage, and uric acid. Both treatments increased DNA damage and Cort, and decreased uric acid. It thus appears that DNA damage can reflect acute stressor exposure. To improve the usability of DNA damage as a metric for stress, we also tested the impacts of sample storage on DNA damage. Leaving red blood cells on ice for up to 24 hr, only slightly influenced DNA damage. Freezing blood samples for 1-4 weeks substantially increased DNA damage. These findings emphasize the importance of reducing variation between samples by assaying them together whenever possible. Overall, these results indicate that assessing DNA damage is a valid method of assessing acute stressor exposure that is suitable for both laboratory- and field-based studies; however, additional research is needed on the molecular dynamics of nucleated red blood cells, including whether and how their DNA is repaired.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rodolfo Estrada
- Department of Biology, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts
| | - Mitch McVey
- Department of Biology, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts
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4
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Lind MA, Hõrak P, Sepp T, Meitern R. Corticosterone levels correlate in wild-grown and lab-grown feathers in greenfinches (Carduelis chloris) and predict behaviour and survival in captivity. Horm Behav 2020; 118:104642. [PMID: 31765655 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2019.104642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2019] [Revised: 10/24/2019] [Accepted: 11/13/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Level of corticosterone (CORT), which is a predominant glucocorticoid in birds, has become the main indicator for assessing the stress level of birds in ecological studies. Feather corticosterone (CORTf) provides information about corticosterone levels during feather growth, however, the underlying causes of individual variation of CORTf between individuals and individual persistency of CORTf are not yet fully understood. Therefore, this study addresses individual consistency in CORTf and the association of variation in CORTf with behaviour that results in damage to tail feathers. We studied relations between CORTf, plasma CORT, and behaviour in wild-caught male greenfinches in captivity. CORTf in wild-grown feathers correlated positively with CORTf in lab-grown feathers. CORTf levels were about 20% lower in lab-grown feathers than in those grown in the wild. Four birds that died in captivity had significantly higher average CORTf levels in wild-grown feathers than the survivors. Plasma CORT levels of two measurements taken in the lab seven days apart correlated positively, however, no correlations between plasma CORT and CORTf were found. In order to study the link between CORTf and behaviour, the extent of tail damage from flapping against cage bar was assessed. Contrary to our prediction, birds with higher CORTf had less tail damage. This study adds to the evidence that CORTf levels can be considered as informative markers of some persistent component of individual phenotypic quality that can predict survival under standardized laboratory conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mari-Ann Lind
- Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, Vanemuise 46, 51014 Tartu, Estonia.
| | - Peeter Hõrak
- Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, Vanemuise 46, 51014 Tartu, Estonia
| | - Tuul Sepp
- Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, Vanemuise 46, 51014 Tartu, Estonia
| | - Richard Meitern
- Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, Vanemuise 46, 51014 Tartu, Estonia
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5
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Assessment of Cortisol and DHEA Concentrations in Griffon Vulture ( Gyps fulvus) Feathers to Evaluate its Allostatic Load. ANNALS OF ANIMAL SCIENCE 2020. [DOI: 10.2478/aoas-2019-0051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
The use of a non-invasive approach to collect biological samples from natural populations represents a great means of gathering information while avoiding handling animals. Even if corticosterone is the main glucocorticoid investigated in birds, there has been observed a proportional direct link between corticosterone and cortisol concentrations. Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) can be produced by the adrenal cortex and should have prominent antiglucocorticoid properties also in birds. The aim of this study was to verify if there is any difference in the cortisol and DHEA feather concentrations between clinically normal and physiologically compromised Griffon vultures (Gyps fulvus) through the non-invasive approach of collecting moulted feathers without having to pluck them from the bird. The study was carried out using 8 physiologically compromised (PC) Griffons and 9 clinically normal Griffons considered as the control (CTRL) group that were necropsied or from the wildlife rehabilitation centre. Primary and secondary covert feathers were either collected directly from the birds’ cage floors, or, in the case of dead Griffons, they were plucked off the animals. The results, obtained by RIA, revealed that both cortisol (P<0.01) and DHEA (P<0.05) feather concentrations were higher in the PC than in the CTRL group. No difference was observed by comparing the cortisol/DHEA ratio between the two evaluated groups (P=0.15). Pearson’s correlation coefficients showed no correlation between feather hormone concentrations in the PC group (r=0.01, P=0.96) while a positive correlation in the CTRL group (r=0.65, P=0.006) was observed. In conclusion, our study reveals that moulted feathers can be a non-invasive and an interesting tool to evaluate the allostatic load of wild birds and they allowed better understanding the relationship between hormones of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis and the physiological status of the birds.
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Gormally BMG, Fuller R, McVey M, Romero LM. DNA damage as an indicator of chronic stress: Correlations with corticosterone and uric acid. Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 2018; 227:116-122. [PMID: 30336278 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2018.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2018] [Accepted: 10/05/2018] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Corticosterone does not change in consistent ways across species and contexts, making it challenging to use as an indicator of chronic stress. We assessed DNA damage as a potential metric that could be a more integrative stress measurement with direct links to health. We captured free-living house sparrows, took an immediate blood sample, and transferred them to the laboratory, exposing them to the chronic stress of captivity. Biweekly blood and weight samples were then taken for 4 weeks. We immediately assessed DNA damage in red blood cells using the comet assay and later quantified corticosterone. Uric acid was analyzed in a separate group of birds. We found that birds initially lost, but began to regain weight over the course of captivity. DNA damage peaked within the first 10 days of captivity, and mostly remained elevated. However, the cellular distribution of damage changed considerably over time; most cells showed low levels of damage early, a bimodal distribution of high and low DNA damage during the peak of damage, and a wide unimodal distribution of damage at the end of the 4 weeks. Furthermore, corticosterone increased and remained elevated and uric acid decreased and remained depleted over the same period. Although both a molecular (DNA damage) and an endocrine (corticosterone) marker showed similar response profiles over the 4 weeks, they were not correlated, suggesting they reflect different aspects of the underlying physiology. These data provide convincing preliminary evidence that DNA damage has potential to be an additional indicator of chronic stress.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rory Fuller
- Department of Biology, Tufts University, Medford 02155, MA, USA
| | - Mitch McVey
- Department of Biology, Tufts University, Medford 02155, MA, USA
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7
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Krams IA, Rumvolt K, Saks L, Krams R, Elferts D, Vrublevska J, Rantala MJ, Kecko S, Cīrule D, Luoto S, Krama T. Reproduction compromises adaptive immunity in a cyprinid fish. Ecol Res 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/s11284-017-1467-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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8
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Harris BN, Carr JA. The role of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal/interrenal axis in mediating predator-avoidance trade-offs. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2016; 230-231:110-42. [PMID: 27080550 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2016.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2015] [Revised: 04/07/2016] [Accepted: 04/09/2016] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Maintaining energy balance and reproducing are important for fitness, yet animals have evolved mechanisms by which the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal/interrenal (HPA/HPI) axis can shut these activities off. While HPA/HPI axis inhibition of feeding and reproduction may have evolved as a predator defense, to date there has been no review across taxa of the causal evidence for such a relationship. Here we review the literature on this topic by addressing evidence for three predictions: that exposure to predators decreases reproduction and feeding, that exposure to predators activates the HPA/HPI axis, and that predator-induced activation of the HPA/HPI axis inhibits foraging and reproduction. Weight of evidence indicates that exposure to predator cues inhibits several aspects of foraging and reproduction. While the evidence from fish and mammals supports the hypothesis that predator cues activate the HPA/HPI axis, the existing data in other vertebrate taxa are equivocal. A causal role for the HPA axis in predator-induced suppression of feeding and reproduction has not been demonstrated to date, although many studies report correlative relationships between HPA activity and reproduction and/or feeding. Manipulation of HPA/HPI axis signaling will be required in future studies to demonstrate direct mediation of predator-induced inhibition of feeding and reproduction. Understanding the circuitry linking sensory pathways to their control of the HPA/HPI axis also is needed. Finally, the role that fear and anxiety pathways play in the response of the HPA axis to predator cues is needed to better understand the role that predators have played in shaping anxiety related behaviors in all species, including humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Breanna N Harris
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, United States
| | - James A Carr
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, United States.
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López‐Jiménez L, Blas J, Tanferna A, Cabezas S, Marchant T, Hiraldo F, Sergio F. Ambient temperature, body condition and sibling rivalry explain feather corticosterone levels in developing black kites. Funct Ecol 2015. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2435.12539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lidia López‐Jiménez
- Estación Biológica de Doñana Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) C/Américo Vespucio Seville 41092 Spain
| | - Julio Blas
- Estación Biológica de Doñana Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) C/Américo Vespucio Seville 41092 Spain
| | - Alessandro Tanferna
- Estación Biológica de Doñana Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) C/Américo Vespucio Seville 41092 Spain
| | - Sonia Cabezas
- Estación Biológica de Doñana Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) C/Américo Vespucio Seville 41092 Spain
| | - Tracy Marchant
- Department of Biology University of Saskatchewan SK S7N 5E2 Saskatoon Canada
| | - Fernando Hiraldo
- Estación Biológica de Doñana Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) C/Américo Vespucio Seville 41092 Spain
| | - Fabrizio Sergio
- Estación Biológica de Doñana Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) C/Américo Vespucio Seville 41092 Spain
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10
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Lodjak J, Mägi M, Rooni U, Tilgar V. Context-dependent effects of feather corticosterone on growth rate and fledging success of wild passerine nestlings in heterogeneous habitat. Oecologia 2015; 179:937-46. [DOI: 10.1007/s00442-015-3357-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2014] [Accepted: 05/19/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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11
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Fairhurst GD, Berzins LL, Bradley DW, Laughlin AJ, Romano A, Romano M, Scandolara C, Ambrosini R, Dawson RD, Dunn PO, Hobson KA, Liechti F, Marchant TA, Norris DR, Rubolini D, Saino N, Taylor CM, Whittingham LA, Clark RG. Assessing costs of carrying geolocators using feather corticosterone in two species of aerial insectivore. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2015; 2:150004. [PMID: 26064659 PMCID: PMC4453251 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.150004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2015] [Accepted: 04/07/2015] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Despite benefits of using light-sensitive geolocators to track animal movements and describe patterns of migratory connectivity, concerns have been raised about negative effects of these devices, particularly in small species of aerial insectivore. Geolocators may act as handicaps that increase energetic expenditure, which could explain reported effects of geolocators on survival. We tested this 'Energetic Expenditure Hypothesis' in 12 populations of tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) and barn swallows (Hirundo rustica) from North America and Europe, using measurements of corticosterone from feathers (CORTf) grown after deployment of geolocators as a measure of physiology relevant to energetics. Contrary to predictions, neither among- (both species) nor within-individual (tree swallows only) levels of CORTf differed with respect to instrumentation. Thus, to the extent that CORTf reflects energetic expenditure, geolocators apparently were not a strong handicap for birds that returned post-deployment. While this physiological evidence suggests that information about migration obtained from returning geolocator-equipped swallows is unbiased with regard to levels of stress, we cannot discount the possibility that corticosterone played a role in reported effects of geolocators on survival in birds, and suggest that future studies relate corticosterone to antecedent factors, such as reproductive history, and to downstream fitness costs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Graham D. Fairhurst
- Department of Biology, University of Saskatchewan, 112 Science Place, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada S7N 5E2
- Environment Canada, 115 Perimeter Road, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada S7N 0X4
- Author for correspondence: Graham D. Fairhurst e-mail:
| | - Lisha L. Berzins
- Ecosystem Science and Management, University of Northern British Columbia, 3333 University Way, Prince George, British Columbia, Canada V2N 4Z9
| | - David W. Bradley
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East, Guelph, Ontario, Canada N1G 1E4
- Bird Studies Canada, 115 Front Street, Port Rowan, Ontario, Canada N0E 1M0
| | - Andrew J. Laughlin
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70118, USA
| | - Andrea Romano
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, via Celoria 26, Milan 20133, Italy
| | - Maria Romano
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, via Celoria 26, Milan 20133, Italy
| | - Chiara Scandolara
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, via Celoria 26, Milan 20133, Italy
- Swiss Ornithological Institute, Seerose 1, Sempach 6204, Switzerland
| | - Roberto Ambrosini
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 2, Milan 20126, Italy
| | - Russell D. Dawson
- Ecosystem Science and Management, University of Northern British Columbia, 3333 University Way, Prince George, British Columbia, Canada V2N 4Z9
| | - Peter O. Dunn
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Wisconsin—Milwaukee, 3209 North Maryland Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53201-0413, USA
| | - Keith A. Hobson
- Environment Canada, 11 Innovation Boulevard, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada S7N 3H5
| | - Felix Liechti
- Swiss Ornithological Institute, Seerose 1, Sempach 6204, Switzerland
| | - Tracy A. Marchant
- Department of Biology, University of Saskatchewan, 112 Science Place, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada S7N 5E2
| | - D. Ryan Norris
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East, Guelph, Ontario, Canada N1G 1E4
| | - Diego Rubolini
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, via Celoria 26, Milan 20133, Italy
| | - Nicola Saino
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, via Celoria 26, Milan 20133, Italy
| | - Caz M. Taylor
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70118, USA
| | - Linda A. Whittingham
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Wisconsin—Milwaukee, 3209 North Maryland Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53201-0413, USA
| | - Robert G. Clark
- Department of Biology, University of Saskatchewan, 112 Science Place, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada S7N 5E2
- Environment Canada, 115 Perimeter Road, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada S7N 0X4
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12
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Strong RJ, Pereira MG, Shore RF, Henrys PA, Pottinger TG. Feather corticosterone content in predatory birds in relation to body condition and hepatic metal concentration. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2015; 214:47-55. [PMID: 25776461 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2015.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2014] [Revised: 02/27/2015] [Accepted: 03/06/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
This study investigated the feasibility of measuring corticosterone in feathers from cryo-archived raptor specimens, in order to provide a retrospective assessment of the activity of the stress axis in relation to contaminant burden. Feather samples were taken from sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus, kestrel Falco tinnunculus, buzzard Buteo buteo, barn owl Tyto alba, and tawny owl Strix aluco and the variation in feather CORT concentrations with respect to species, age, sex, feather position, and body condition was assessed. In sparrowhawks only, variation in feather CORT content was compared with hepatic metal concentrations. For individuals, CORT concentration (pgmm(-1)) in adjacent primary flight feathers (P5 and P6), and left and right wing primaries (P5), was statistically indistinguishable. The lowest concentrations of CORT were found in sparrowhawk feathers and CORT concentrations did not vary systematically with age or sex for any species. Significant relationships between feather CORT content and condition were observed in only tawny owl and kestrel. In sparrowhawks, feather CORT concentration was found to be positively related to the hepatic concentrations of five metals (Cd, Mn, Co, Cu, Mo) and the metalloid As. There was also a negative relationship between measures of condition and total hepatic metal concentration in males. The results suggest that some factors affecting CORT uptake by feathers remain to be resolved but feather CORT content from archived specimens has the potential to provide a simple effects biomarker for exposure to environmental contaminants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca J Strong
- Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Lancaster Environment Centre, Library Avenue, Bailrigg, Lancaster LA1 4AP, United Kingdom; University of Lancaster, Lancaster Environment Centre, Library Avenue, Bailrigg, Lancaster LA1 4YQ, United Kingdom
| | - M Glória Pereira
- Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Lancaster Environment Centre, Library Avenue, Bailrigg, Lancaster LA1 4AP, United Kingdom
| | - Richard F Shore
- Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Lancaster Environment Centre, Library Avenue, Bailrigg, Lancaster LA1 4AP, United Kingdom
| | - Peter A Henrys
- Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Lancaster Environment Centre, Library Avenue, Bailrigg, Lancaster LA1 4AP, United Kingdom
| | - Tom G Pottinger
- Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Lancaster Environment Centre, Library Avenue, Bailrigg, Lancaster LA1 4AP, United Kingdom.
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Casagrande S, Pinxten R, Zaid E, Eens M. Carotenoids, birdsong and oxidative status: administration of dietary lutein is associated with an increase in song rate and circulating antioxidants (albumin and cholesterol) and a decrease in oxidative damage. PLoS One 2014; 9:e115899. [PMID: 25549336 PMCID: PMC4280127 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0115899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2014] [Accepted: 11/29/2014] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the appealing hypothesis that carotenoid-based colouration signals oxidative status, evidence supporting the antioxidant function of these pigments is scarce. Recent studies have shown that lutein, the most common carotenoid used by birds, can enhance the expression of non-visual traits, such as birdsong. Nevertheless, the underlying physiological mechanisms remain unclear. In this study we hypothesized that male European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) fed extra lutein increase their song rate as a consequence of an improved oxidative status. Although birdsong may be especially sensitive to the redox status, this has, to the best of our knowledge, never been tested. Together with the determination of circulating oxidative damage (ROMs, reactive oxygen metabolites), we quantified uric acid, albumin, total proteins, cholesterol, and testosterone, which are physiological parameters potentially sensitive to oxidation and/or related to both carotenoid functions and birdsong expression. We found that the birds fed extra lutein sang more frequently than control birds and showed an increase of albumin and cholesterol together with a decrease of oxidative damage. Moreover, we could show that song rate was associated with high levels of albumin and cholesterol and low levels of oxidative damage, independently from testosterone levels. Our study shows for the first time that song rate honestly signals the oxidative status of males and that dietary lutein is associated with the circulation of albumin and cholesterol in birds, providing a novel insight to the theoretical framework related to the honest signalling of carotenoid-based traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefania Casagrande
- Department of Biology, Ethology Group, University of Antwerp, Campus Drie Eiken, Antwerp, Belgium
- * E-mail:
| | - Rianne Pinxten
- Department of Biology, Ethology Group, University of Antwerp, Campus Drie Eiken, Antwerp, Belgium
- Institute for Education and Information Sciences, Research Unit Didactica, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Erika Zaid
- Department of Biology, Ethology Group, University of Antwerp, Campus Drie Eiken, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Marcel Eens
- Department of Biology, Ethology Group, University of Antwerp, Campus Drie Eiken, Antwerp, Belgium
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14
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Meitern R, Andreson R, Hõrak P. Profile of whole blood gene expression following immune stimulation in a wild passerine. BMC Genomics 2014; 15:533. [PMID: 24972896 PMCID: PMC4092216 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2164-15-533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2014] [Accepted: 06/24/2014] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Immunoecology aims to explain variation among hosts in the strength and efficacy of immunological defences in natural populations. This requires development of biomarkers of the activation of the immune system so that they can be collected non-lethally and sampled from small amounts of easily obtainable tissue. We used transcriptome profiling in wild greenfinches (Carduelis chloris) to detect whole blood transcripts that most profoundly indicate upregulation of antimicrobial defences during acute phase response. The more general aim of this study was to obtain a functional annotation of a substantial portion of the greenfinch transcriptome that would enable to gain access to more specific genomic tools in subsequent studies. The birds received either bacterial lipopolysaccharide or saline injections and RNA-seq transcriptional profiling was performed 12 h after treatment to provide initial functional annotation of the transcriptome and assess whole blood response to immune stimulation. Results A total of 66,084 transcripts were obtained from de novo Trinty assembly, out of which 23,153 could be functionally annotated. Only 1,911 of these were significantly upregulated or downregulated. The manipulation caused marked upregulation of several transcripts related to immune activation. These included avian-specific antimicrobial agents avidin and gallinacin, but also some more general host response genes, such as serum amyloid A protein, lymphocyte antigen 75 and copper-transporting ATPase 1. However, links with avian immunity for most differentially regulated transcripts remained rather hypothetical, as a large set of differentially expressed transcripts lacked functional annotation. Conclusions This appears to be the first large scale transcriptional profiling of immune function in passerine birds. The transcriptomic data obtained suggest novel markers for the assessment of the immunological state of wild passerines. Characterizing the function of those possible novel infection markers would assist future vertebrate genome annotation. The extensive sequence information collected enables to identify possible target and housekeeping genes needed to gain access to more specific genomic tools in future studies. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/1471-2164-15-533) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Meitern
- Department of Zoology, Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, Tartu University, Vanemuise 46, 51014 Tartu, Estonia.
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Effects of a novel SNP of IGF2R gene on growth traits and expression rate of IGF2R and IGF2 genes in gluteus medius muscle of Egyptian buffalo. Gene 2014; 540:133-9. [PMID: 24613755 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2014.02.059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2013] [Revised: 02/03/2014] [Accepted: 02/26/2014] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Insulin-like growth factor 2 receptor (IGF2R) is responsible for degradation of the muscle development initiator, IGF2, and thus it can be used as a marker for selection strategies in the farm animals. The aim of this study was to search for polymorphisms in three coding loci of IGF2R, and to analyze their effect on the growth traits and on the expression levels of IGF2R and IGF2 genes in the gluteus medius muscle of Egyptian buffaloes. A novel A266C SNP was detected in the coding sequences of the third IGF2R locus (at nucleotide number 51 of exon 23) among Egyptian water buffaloes. This SNP was non-synonymous mutation and led to replacement of Y (tyrosine) amino acid (aa) by D (aspartic acid) aa. Three different single-strand conformation polymorphism patterns were observed in the third IGF2R locus: AA, AC, and CC with frequencies of 0.555, 0.195, and 0.250, respectively. Statistical analysis showed that the homozygous AA genotype significantly associated with the average daily gain than AC and CC genotypes from birth to 9 mo of age. Expression analysis showed that the A266C SNP was correlated with IGF2, but not with IGF2R, mRNA levels in the gluteus medius muscle of Egyptian buffaloes. The highest IGF2 mRNA level was estimated in the muscle of animals with the AA homozygous genotype as compared to the AC heterozygotes and CC homozygotes. We conclude that A266C SNP at nucleotide number 51 of exon 23 of the IGF2R gene is associated with the ADG during the early stages of life (from birth to 9 mo of age) and this effect is accompanied by, and may be caused by, increased expression levels of the IGF2 gene.
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Conte-Devolx B, Vialettes B. Can stress induce dysimmune dysthyroidism? ANNALES D'ENDOCRINOLOGIE 2013; 74:483-6. [PMID: 24262983 DOI: 10.1016/j.ando.2013.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2013] [Revised: 07/30/2013] [Accepted: 09/10/2013] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Hyperthyroidism due to Graves' disease is autoimmune in origin. The initiation of dysimmunity responsible for the disease is still poorly understood. Numerous population studies show that genetic factors have a major role, but the environment and any kind of stress also contribute to the onset of the disease. There remains the recurring question for medical experts of the accountability of stress in the onset of Graves' disease. To date, it is impossible to establish a direct link between this disease and a specific stress. The relationship can only be hypothetical, indirect and partial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernard Conte-Devolx
- Department of endocrinology, diabetes, metabolic diseases, Timone hospital, rue St-Pierre, 13005 Marseille, France.
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