Repeated exposure to stressful conditions can have beneficial effects on survival

Marasco, V., Boner, W. , Heidinger, B., Griffiths, K. and Monaghan, P. (2015) Repeated exposure to stressful conditions can have beneficial effects on survival. Experimental Gerontology, 69, pp. 170-175. (doi: 10.1016/j.exger.2015.06.011) (PMID:26093051)

Abstract

Repeated exposure to stressful circumstances is generally thought to be associated with increased pathology and reduced longevity. However, growing lines of evidence suggest that the effects of environmental stressors on survival and longevity depend on a multitude of factors and, under some circumstances, might be positive rather than negative. Here, using the zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata), we show that repeated exposure to stressful conditions (i.e. unpredictable food availability), which induced no changes in body mass, was associated with a decrease in mortality rate and an increase in the age of death. As expected, the treated birds responded to the unpredictable food supply by increasing baseline glucocorticoid stress hormone secretion and there were no signs of habituation of this hormonal response to the treatment across time. Importantly, and consistent with previous literature, the magnitude of hormone increase induced by the treatment was significant, but relatively mild, since the baseline glucocorticoid concentrations in the treated birds were substantially lower than the peak levels that occur during an acute stress response in this species. Taken together, these data demonstrate that protracted exposure to relatively mild stressful circumstances can have beneficial lifespan effects.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Monaghan, Professor Pat and Griffiths, Mrs Kate and Boner, Dr Winnie and Marasco, Dr Valeria
• Authors: Marasco, V., Boner, W., Heidinger, B., Griffiths, K., and Monaghan, P.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine
• Journal Name: Experimental Gerontology
• Publisher: Elsevier Inc.
• ISSN: 0531-5565
• ISSN (Online): 1873-6815
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc.
• First Published: First published in Experimental Gerontology 69:170-175
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher