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Chen M, Zhao Y, Li S, Chang Z, Liu H, Zhang D, Wang S, Zhang X, Wang J. Maternal Malic Acid May Ameliorate Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in Sows through Modulating Gut Microbiota and Host Metabolic Profiles during Late Pregnancy. Antioxidants (Basel) 2024; 13:253. [PMID: 38397851 PMCID: PMC10886295 DOI: 10.3390/antiox13020253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2024] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Sows suffer oxidative stress and inflammation induced by metabolic burden during late pregnancy, which negatively regulates reproductive and lactating performances. We previously found that L-malic acid (MA) alleviated oxidative stress and inflammation and improved reproductive performances in sows. However, the mechanism underlying the MA's positive effects remains unexplored. Here, twenty Large White × Landrace sows with similar parity were randomly divided into two groups and fed with a basal diet or a diet supplemented with 2% L-malic acid complex from day 85 of gestation to delivery. The gut microbiome, fecal short-chain fatty acids, and untargeted serum metabolome were determined. Results showed that Firmicutes, Bacteroidota, and Spirochaetota were the top abundant phyla identified in late pregnancy for sows. Maternal MA supplementation modulated the composition but not the richness and diversity of gut microbiota during late pregnancy. Correlation analysis between gut microbiota and antioxidant capacity (or inflammation indicators) revealed that unclassified_f_Ruminococcaceae, unclassified_f_Lachnospiraceae, UCG-002, norank_f_norank_o_RF3, and Lactobacillus might play a role in anti-oxidation, and Lachnospiraceae_XPB1014_group, Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group, UCG-002, unclassified_f_Ruminococcaceae, Candidatus_Soleaferrea, norank_f_UCG-010, norank_f_norank_o_RF39, and unclassified_f_Lachnospiraceae might be involved in the anti-inflammatory effect. The improved antioxidant and inflammation status induced by MA might be independent of short chain fatty acid changes. In addition, untargeted metabolomics analysis exhibited different metabolic landscapes of sows in the MA group from in the control group and revealed the contribution of modified amino acid and lipid metabolism to the improved antioxidant capacity and inflammation status. Notably, correlation results of gut microbiota and serum metabolites, as well as serum metabolites and antioxidant capacity (or inflammation indicators), demonstrated that differential metabolism was highly related to the fecal microorganisms and antioxidant or inflammation indicators. Collectively, these data demonstrated that a maternal dietary supply of MA can ameliorate oxidative stress and inflammation in sows through modulating gut microbiota and host metabolic profiles during late pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meixia Chen
- Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing 100097, China; (H.L.); (D.Z.); (S.W.)
| | - Ying Zhao
- Precision Livestock and Nutrition Unit, TERRA Teaching and Research Centre, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, University of Liège, 5030 Gembloux, Belgium;
| | - Shuang Li
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China;
| | - Zhuo Chang
- Beijing General Station of Animal Husbandry, Beijing 100107, China;
| | - Hui Liu
- Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing 100097, China; (H.L.); (D.Z.); (S.W.)
| | - Dongyan Zhang
- Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing 100097, China; (H.L.); (D.Z.); (S.W.)
| | - Sixin Wang
- Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing 100097, China; (H.L.); (D.Z.); (S.W.)
| | - Xin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China;
| | - Jing Wang
- Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing 100097, China; (H.L.); (D.Z.); (S.W.)
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Birch G, Meniri M, Cant MA, Blount JD. Defence against the intergenerational cost of reproduction in males: oxidative shielding of the germline. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2024; 99:70-84. [PMID: 37698166 DOI: 10.1111/brv.13012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Revised: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/13/2023]
Abstract
Reproduction is expected to carry an oxidative cost, yet in many species breeders appear to sustain lower levels of oxidative damage compared to non-breeders. This paradox may be explained by considering the intergenerational costs of reproduction. Specifically, a reduction in oxidative damage upon transitioning to a reproductive state may represent a pre-emptive shielding strategy to protect the next generation from intergenerational oxidative damage (IOD) - known as the oxidative shielding hypothesis. Males may be particularly likely to transmit IOD, because sperm are highly susceptible to oxidative damage. Yet, the possibility of male-mediated IOD remains largely uninvestigated. Here, we present a conceptual and methodological framework to assess intergenerational costs of reproduction and oxidative shielding of the germline in males. We discuss variance in reproductive costs and expected payoffs of oxidative shielding according to species' life histories, and the expected impact on offspring fitness. Oxidative shielding presents an opportunity to incorporate intergenerational effects into the advancing field of life-history evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Graham Birch
- Centre for Ecology & Conservation, Faculty of Environment, Science & Economy, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Cornwall, TR10 9FE, UK
| | - Magali Meniri
- Centre for Ecology & Conservation, Faculty of Environment, Science & Economy, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Cornwall, TR10 9FE, UK
| | - Michael A Cant
- Centre for Ecology & Conservation, Faculty of Environment, Science & Economy, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Cornwall, TR10 9FE, UK
| | - Jonathan D Blount
- Centre for Ecology & Conservation, Faculty of Environment, Science & Economy, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Cornwall, TR10 9FE, UK
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Romero-Haro AA, Figuerola J, Alonso-Alvarez C. Low Antioxidant Glutathione Levels Lead to Longer Telomeres: A Sex-Specific Link to Longevity? Integr Org Biol 2023; 5:obad034. [PMID: 37753451 PMCID: PMC10519275 DOI: 10.1093/iob/obad034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Telomeres are repetitive DNA sequences at the end of chromosomes that protect them from degradation. They have been the focus of intense research because short telomeres would predict accelerated ageing and reduced longevity in vertebrates. Oxidative stress is considered a physiological driver of the telomere shortening and, consequently, short lifespan. Among molecules fighting against oxidative stress, glutathione is involved in many antioxidant pathways. Literature supports that oxidative stress may trigger a compensatory "hormetic" response increasing glutathione levels and telomere length. Here, we tested the link between total glutathione concentration and telomere length in captive birds (zebra finches; Taeniopygia guttata). Total glutathione levels were experimentally decreased during birds' growth using a specific inhibitor of glutathione synthesis (buthionine sulfoximine; BSO). We monitored the birds' reproductive performance in an outdoor aviary during the first month of life, and their longevity for almost 9 years. Among control individuals, erythrocyte glutathione levels during development positively predicted erythrocyte telomere length in adulthood. However, BSO-treated females, but not males, showed longer telomeres than control females in adulthood. This counterintuitive finding suggests that females mounted a compensatory response. Such compensation agrees with precedent findings in the same population where the BSO treatment increased growth and adult body mass in females but not males. BSO did not influence longevity or reproductive output in any sex. However, early glutathione levels and adult telomere length interactively predicted longevity only among control females. Those females with "naturally" low (non-manipulated) glutathione levels at the nestling age but capable of producing longer telomeres in adulthood seem to live longer. The results suggest that the capability to mount a hormetic response triggered by low early glutathione levels can improve fitness via telomere length. Overall, the results may indicate a sex-specific link between glutathione and telomere values. Telomerase activity and sexual steroids (estrogens) are good candidates to explain the sex-biased mechanism underlying the early-life impact of oxidative stress on adult telomere length.
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Affiliation(s)
- A A Romero-Haro
- Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos (IREC), CSIC-UCLM-JCCM, Ronda de Toledo 12, 13071Ciudad Real, 41092 Sevilla, Spain
| | - J Figuerola
- Estación Biológica de Doñana—CSIC, Sevilla, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - C Alonso-Alvarez
- Evolutionary Ecology Department, National Museum of Natural Sciences (MNCN-CSIC), C/José Gutiérrez Abascal 2, 28006 Madrid, Spain
- Instituto Pirenaico de Ecología (IPE-CSIC) Avda. Nuestra Señora de la Victoria, 16. 22700 Jaca, Huesca, Spain
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Virgin EE, Lewis EL, Lidgard AD, Kepas ME, Marchetti JR, Hudson SB, Smith GD, French SS. Egg viability and egg mass underlie immune tradeoffs and differences between urban and rural lizard egg yolk physiology. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2023; 337:114258. [PMID: 36870544 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2023.114258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Revised: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023]
Abstract
Urbanization can cause innumerable abiotic and biotic changes that have the potential to influence the ecology, behavior, and physiology of native resident organisms. Relative to their rural conspecifics, urban Side-blotched Lizard (Uta stansburiana) populations in southern Utah have lower survival prospects and maximize reproductive investment via producing larger eggs and larger clutch sizes. While egg size is an important predictor of offspring quality, physiological factors within the egg yolk are reflective of the maternal environment and can alter offspring traits, especially during energetically costly processes, such as reproduction or immunity. Therefore, maternal effects may represent an adaptive mechanism by which urban-dwelling species can persist within a variable landscape. In this study, we assess urban and rural differences in egg yolk bacterial killing ability (BKA), corticosterone (CORT), oxidative status (d-ROMs), and energy metabolites (free glycerol and triglycerides), and their association with female immune status and egg quality. Within a laboratory setting, we immune challenged urban lizards via lipopolysaccharide injection (LPS) to test whether physiological changes associated with immune system activity impacted egg yolk investment. We found urban females had higher mite loads than rural females, however mite burden was related to yolk BKA in rural eggs, but not urban eggs. While yolk BKA differed between urban and rural sites, egg mass and egg viability (fertilized vs. unfertilized) were strong predictors of yolk physiology and may imply tradeoffs exist between maintenance and reproduction. LPS treatment caused a decrease in egg yolk d-ROMs relative to the control treatments, supporting results from previous research. Finally, urban lizards laid a higher proportion of unfertilized eggs, which differed in egg yolk BKA, CORT, and triglycerides in comparison to fertilized eggs. Because rural lizards laid only viable eggs during this study, these results suggest that reduced egg viability is a potential cost of living in an urban environment. Furthermore, these results help us better understand potential downstream impacts of urbanization on offspring survival, fitness, and overall population health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily E Virgin
- Department of Biology, Utah State University, 5305 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322, USA; Ecology Center, Utah State University, 5205 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322, USA.
| | - Erin L Lewis
- Department of Biology, Utah State University, 5305 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322, USA; Ecology Center, Utah State University, 5205 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322, USA
| | - Audrey D Lidgard
- Department of Biology, Utah State University, 5305 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322, USA
| | - Megen E Kepas
- Department of Biology, Utah State University, 5305 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322, USA; Ecology Center, Utah State University, 5205 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322, USA; Department of Biological Sciences, Utah Tech University, St. George, UT 84770, USA
| | - Jack R Marchetti
- Department of Biology, Utah State University, 5305 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322, USA; Ecology Center, Utah State University, 5205 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322, USA
| | - Spencer B Hudson
- Department of Biology, Utah State University, 5305 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322, USA; Ecology Center, Utah State University, 5205 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322, USA
| | - Geoffrey D Smith
- Department of Biological Sciences, Utah Tech University, St. George, UT 84770, USA
| | - Susannah S French
- Department of Biology, Utah State University, 5305 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322, USA; Ecology Center, Utah State University, 5205 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322, USA
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Rödel HG, Jardim V, Rangassamy M, Jaravel L, Jacquet D, Monclús R, Féron C, Costantini D. Early life parameters and personality affect oxidative status during adulthood in an altricial rodent. Physiol Rep 2022; 10:e15427. [PMID: 36200138 PMCID: PMC9535260 DOI: 10.14814/phy2.15427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023] Open
Abstract
It is increasingly recognized that alterations of the cellular oxidative status might be an important cost underlying challenging early life conditions. For example, an increased litter size can impose challenges as the offspring will face increased competition for maternal resources. Within a litter, individuals with relatively higher starting mass typically show higher growth rates, which can lead to increased oxidative damage. We investigated the long-term consequences of these early life parameters on the oxidative status in mature mound-building mice (Mus spicilegus). Individual differences in the animals' exploration tendency were assessed by repeated open field and novel object tests. We predicted less exploratory phenotypes, which typically show a higher stress responsiveness, to be particularly susceptible to possible effects of these early life parameters on oxidative status. We quantified oxidative damage of DNA (8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine levels, 8-OHdG) and proteins (protein carbonyl content, PCC), and activities of the antioxidants catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in liver and skeletal muscle tissue. 8-OHdG levels were positively associated with CAT and SOD in both tissues, indicating that increased oxidative DNA damage was associated with an upregulation of antioxidant production. Hepatic DNA damage after maturity was increased in animals from larger litters. In less exploratory animals, DNA damage and the activity of CAT and SOD in the muscle were increased, but only in individuals with higher relative starting mass (measured on postnatal day 9). This interaction may be explained by the typically higher adrenocortical activity in less exploratory phenotypes and by the higher growth in relatively heavier pups, two factors known to increase oxidative stress. These findings contribute to enlightening the complex interplay between early life conditions, personality, and oxidative status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heiko G. Rödel
- Laboratoire d'Ethologie Expérimentale et Comparée UR 4443 (LEEC)Université Sorbonne Paris NordVilletaneuseFrance
| | - Veridiana Jardim
- Laboratoire d'Ethologie Expérimentale et Comparée UR 4443 (LEEC)Université Sorbonne Paris NordVilletaneuseFrance
- Laboratory of Ethology, Ecology and Evolution of Social Insects, Department of Experimental PsychologyUniversity of Sao PauloSão PauloBrazil
| | - Marylin Rangassamy
- Laboratoire d'Ethologie Expérimentale et Comparée UR 4443 (LEEC)Université Sorbonne Paris NordVilletaneuseFrance
| | - Ludivine Jaravel
- Laboratoire d'Ethologie Expérimentale et Comparée UR 4443 (LEEC)Université Sorbonne Paris NordVilletaneuseFrance
| | - Daphné Jacquet
- Laboratoire d'Ethologie Expérimentale et Comparée UR 4443 (LEEC)Université Sorbonne Paris NordVilletaneuseFrance
| | - Raquel Monclús
- Laboratoire d'Ethologie Expérimentale et Comparée UR 4443 (LEEC)Université Sorbonne Paris NordVilletaneuseFrance
| | - Christophe Féron
- Laboratoire d'Ethologie Expérimentale et Comparée UR 4443 (LEEC)Université Sorbonne Paris NordVilletaneuseFrance
| | - David Costantini
- Unité Physiologie Moléculaire et Adaptation (PhyMA)Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, CNRS, CP32ParisFrance
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Yokota S, Takeda K, Oshio S. Spatiotemporal Small Non-coding RNAs Expressed in the Germline as an Early Biomarker of Testicular Toxicity and Transgenerational Effects Caused by Prenatal Exposure to Nanosized Particles. Front Toxicol 2022; 3:691070. [PMID: 35295114 PMCID: PMC8915876 DOI: 10.3389/ftox.2021.691070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, an apparent decline in human sperm quality has been observed worldwide. One in every 5.5 couples suffers from infertility, with male reproductive problems contributing to nearly 40% of all infertility cases. Although the reasons for the increasing number of infertility cases are largely unknown, both genetic and environmental factors can be contributing factors. In particular, exposure to chemical substances during mammalian male germ cell development has been linked to an increased risk of infertility in later life owing to defective sperm production, reproductive tract obstruction, inflammation, and sexual disorders. Prenatal exposure to nanomaterials (NMs) is no exception. In animal experiments, maternal exposure to NMs has been reported to affect the reproductive health of male offspring. Male germ cells require multiple epigenetic reprogramming events during their lifespan to acquire reproductive capacity. Given that spermatozoa deliver the paternal genome to oocytes upon fertilization, we hypothesized that maternal exposure to NMs negatively affects male germ cells by altering epigenetic regulation, which may in turn affect embryo development. Small non-coding RNAs (including microRNAs, PIWI-interacting RNAs, tRNA-derived small RNAs, and rRNA-derived small RNAs), which are differentially expressed in mammalian male germ cells in a spatiotemporal manner, could play important regulatory roles in spermatogenesis and embryogenesis. Thus, the evaluation of RNAs responsible for sperm fertility is of great interest in reproductive toxicology and medicine. However, whether the effect of maternal exposure to NMs on spermatogenesis in the offspring (intergenerational effects) really triggers multigenerational effects remains unclear, and infertility biomarkers for evaluating paternal inheritance have not been identified to date. In this review, existing lines of evidence on the effects of prenatal exposure to NMs on male reproduction are summarized. A working hypothesis of the transgenerational effects of sperm-derived epigenomic changes in the F1 generation is presented, in that such maternal exposure could affect early embryonic development followed by deficits in neurodevelopment and male reproduction in the F2 generation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satoshi Yokota
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Toxicology, Center for Biological Safety and Research, National Institute of Health Sciences, Kawasaki, Japan
| | - Ken Takeda
- Division of Toxicology and Health Science, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sanyo-Onoda City University, Yamaguchi, Japan
| | - Shigeru Oshio
- Department of Hygiene Chemistry, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ohu University, Koriyama, Japan
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Meuthen D, Ferrari MCO, Chivers DP. Paternal care effects outweigh gamete-mediated and personal environment effects during the transgenerational estimation of risk in fathead minnows. BMC Ecol Evol 2021; 21:187. [PMID: 34635051 PMCID: PMC8507329 DOI: 10.1186/s12862-021-01919-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Individuals can estimate risk by integrating prenatal with postnatal and personal information, but the relative importance of different information sources during the transgenerational response is unclear. The estimated level of risk can be tested using the cognitive rule of risk allocation, which postulates that under consistent high-risk, antipredator efforts should decrease so that individual metabolic requirements can be satisfied. Here we conduct a comprehensive study on transgenerational risk transmission by testing whether risk allocation occurs across 12 treatments that consist of different maternal, paternal, parental care (including cross-fostering) and offspring risk environment combinations in the fathead minnow Pimephales promelas, a small cyprinid fish with alloparental care. In each risk environment, we manipulated perceived risk by continuously exposing individuals from birth onwards to conspecific alarm cues or a control water treatment. Using 2810 1-month old individuals, we then estimated shoaling behaviour prior to and subsequent to a novel mechanical predator disturbance. RESULTS Overall, shoals estimating risk to be high were denser during the prestimulus period, and, following the risk allocation hypothesis, resumed normal shoaling densities faster following the disturbance. Treatments involving parental care consistently induced densest shoals and greatest levels of risk allocation. Although prenatal risk environments did not relate to paternal care intensity, greater care intensity induced more risk allocation when parents provided care for their own offspring as opposed to those that cross-fostered fry. In the absence of care, parental effects on shoaling density were relatively weak and personal environments modulated risk allocation only when parental risk was low. CONCLUSIONS Our study highlights the high relative importance of parental care as opposed to other information sources, and its function as a mechanism underlying transgenerational risk transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denis Meuthen
- Department of Biology, University of Saskatchewan, 112 Science Place, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5E2, Canada.
- Evolutionary Biology, Bielefeld University, Konsequenz 45, 33615, Bielefeld, Germany.
| | - Maud C O Ferrari
- Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, WCVM, University of Saskatchewan, 52 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5B4, Canada
| | - Douglas P Chivers
- Department of Biology, University of Saskatchewan, 112 Science Place, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5E2, Canada
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Harper JM, Holmes DJ. New Perspectives on Avian Models for Studies of Basic Aging Processes. Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9060649. [PMID: 34200297 PMCID: PMC8230007 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9060649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Revised: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 05/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Avian models have the potential to elucidate basic cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the slow aging rates and exceptional longevity typical of this group of vertebrates. To date, most studies of avian aging have focused on relatively few of the phenomena now thought to be intrinsic to the aging process, but primarily on responses to oxidative stress and telomere dynamics. But a variety of whole-animal and cell-based approaches to avian aging and stress resistance have been developed-especially the use of primary cell lines and isolated erythrocytes-which permit other processes to be investigated. In this review, we highlight newer studies using these approaches. We also discuss recent research on age-related changes in neural function in birds in the context of sensory changes relevant to homing and navigation, as well as the maintenance of song. More recently, with the advent of "-omic" methodologies, including whole-genome studies, new approaches have gained momentum for investigating the mechanistic basis of aging in birds. Overall, current research suggests that birds exhibit an enhanced resistance to the detrimental effects of oxidative damage and maintain higher than expected levels of cellular function as they age. There is also evidence that genetic signatures associated with cellular defenses, as well as metabolic and immune function, are enhanced in birds but data are still lacking relative to that available from more conventional model organisms. We are optimistic that continued development of avian models in geroscience, especially under controlled laboratory conditions, will provide novel insights into the exceptional longevity of this animal taxon.
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Affiliation(s)
- James M. Harper
- Department of Biological Sciences, Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, TX 77341, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-936-294-1543
| | - Donna J. Holmes
- Department of Biological Sciences and WWAMI Medical Education Program, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID 83844, USA;
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