Blount, J., Metcalfe, N., Arnold, K., Surai, P., Devevey, G. and Monaghan, P. (2003) Neonatal nutrition, adult antioxidant defences and sexual attractiveness in the zebra finch. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London Series B: Biological Sciences, 270, pp. 1691-1696. (doi: 10.1098/rspb.2003.2411) (PMID:12964996) (PMCID:PMC1691426)
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Abstract
Early nutrition has recently been shown to have pervasive, downstream effects on adult life-history parameters including lifespan, but the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Damage to biomolecules caused by oxidants, such as free radicals generated during metabolic processes, is widely recognized as a key contributor to somatic degeneration and the rate of ageing. Lipophilic antioxidants (carotenoids, vitamins A and E) are an important component of vertebrate defences against such damage. By using an avian model, we show here that independent of later nutrition, individuals experiencing a short period of low-quality nutrition during the nestling period had a twofold reduction in plasma levels of these antioxidants at adulthood. We found no effects on adult external morphology or sexual attractiveness: in mate-choice trials females did not discriminate between adult males that had received standard- or lower-quality diet as neonates. Our results suggest low-quality neonatal nutrition resulted in a long-term impairment in the capacity to assimilate dietary antioxidants, thereby setting up a need to trade off the requirement for antioxidant activity against the need to maintain morphological development and sexual attractiveness. Such state-dependent trade-offs could underpin the link between early nutrition and senescence.
| Item Type: | Articles |
|---|---|
| Status: | Published |
| Refereed: | Yes |
| Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: | Monaghan, Professor Pat and Metcalfe, Professor Neil and Arnold, Dr Kathryn |
| Authors: | Blount, J., Metcalfe, N., Arnold, K., Surai, P., Devevey, G., and Monaghan, P. |
| College/School: | College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine |
| Journal Name: | Proceedings of the Royal Society of London Series B: Biological Sciences |
| ISSN: | 0962-8452 |
| ISSN (Online): | 1471-2954 |
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