Sex-specific associations between telomere dynamics and oxidative status in adult and nestling pied flycatchers

López-Arrabé, J., Monaghan, P. , Cantarero, A., Boner, W. , Pérez-Rodríguez, L. and Moreno, J. (2018) Sex-specific associations between telomere dynamics and oxidative status in adult and nestling pied flycatchers. Physiological and Biochemical Zoology, 91(3), pp. 868-877. (doi: 10.1086/697294) (PMID:29547348)

Abstract

Oxidative stress can contribute to an acceleration of telomere erosion, leading to cellular senescence and aging. Increased investment in reproduction is known to accelerate senescence, generally resulting in reduced future reproductive potential and survival. To better understand the role played by oxidative status and telomere dynamics in the conflict between maintenance and reproduction, it is important to determine how these factors are related in parents and their offspring. We investigated the relationship between oxidative status and telomere measurements in pied flycatchers (Ficedula hypoleuca). Total antioxidant status (TAS) in plasma, total levels of glutathione in red blood cells (RBCs), and oxidative damage in plasma lipids (malondialdehyde [MDA]) were assessed in both parents and nestlings. Telomeres were measured in RBCs in adults. Our results showed sex differences in oxidative variables in adults that are likely to be mediated by sex steroids, with testosterone and estrogens increasing and reducing, respectively, the production of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species. We found a negative association between telomere length (TL) and MDA in adults in the previous season. Moreover, TL was positively associated with TAS in females, while telomere shortening (ΔTL) correlated positively with MDA in males in the current year. These associations could be reflecting differences between sexes in reproductive physiology. We found a positive correlation between parental ΔTL and nestling MDA, an example of how parental physiological aging could affect offspring quality in terms of oxidative stress that highlights the constraints imposed by higher rates of ΔTL during reproduction and rearing.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: This study was financed by project CGL2013-48193-C3-3-P to J. Moreno from the Spanish Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (MINECO). A. Cantarero was supported by an FPU grant from the Spanish Ministerio de Educación, Cultura y Deporte (MECD), and J. López-Arrabé was supported by an FPI grant from the Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (MICINN). L. Pérez-Rodríguez was supported by a postdoctoral contract from MINECO through the Severo Ochoa Programme for Centers of Excellence in Research, Development, and Innovation.
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Monaghan, Professor Pat and Boner, Dr Winnie
• Authors: López-Arrabé, J., Monaghan, P., Cantarero, A., Boner, W., Pérez-Rodríguez, L., and Moreno, J.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine
• Journal Name: Physiological and Biochemical Zoology
• Publisher: University of Chicago Press
• ISSN: 1522-2152
• ISSN (Online): 1537-5293
• Published Online: 16 March 2018
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2018 The University of Chicago Press
• First Published: First published in Physiological and Biochemical Zoology 91(3): 868-877
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy