Interactive effects of early and later nutritional conditions on the adult antioxidant defence system in zebra finches

Abstract

In vertebrates, antioxidant defences comprise a mixture of endogenously produced components and exogenously obtained antioxidants that are derived mostly from the diet. It has been suggested that early-life micronutritional conditions might influence the way in which the antioxidant defence system operates, which could enable individuals to adjust the activity of the endogenous and exogenous components in line with their expected intake of dietary antioxidants if the future environment resembles the past. We investigated this possibility by experimentally manipulating the micronutrient content of the diet during different periods of postnatal development in the zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata). Birds that had a low micronutrient diet during the growth phase initially had a lower total antioxidant capacity (TAC) than those reared under a high micronutrient diet, but then showed a compensatory response, so that by the end of the growth phase, the TAC of the two groups was the same. Interestingly, we found an interactive effect of micronutrient intake early and late in development: only those birds that continued with the same dietary treatment (low or high) throughout development showed a significant increase in their TAC during the period of sexual maturation. A similar effect was also found in the level of enzymatic antioxidant defences (glutathione peroxidase; GPx). No significant effects were found in the level of oxidative damage in lipids [malondialdehyde (MDA) levels]. These findings demonstrate the importance of early and late developmental conditions in shaping multiple aspects of the antioxidant system. Furthermore, they suggest that young birds may adjust their antioxidant defences to enable them to 'thrive' on diets rich or poor in micronutrients later in life.

The oxidative cost of reproduction depends on early development oxidative stress and sex in a bird species

“…[22,44]), our results are consistent with it. We are aware of a single study providing some support to the environmental matching hypothesis in terms of oxidative stress [45]. Zebra finches enduring similar accessibility to dietary micronutrients (mostly antioxidant vitamins) during both growth and sexual maturity had better enzymatic (erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase) and non-enzymatic (similar to PLAOX) antioxidant defences than those experiencing upward or downward changes in micronutrient availability.…”

“…Zebra finches enduring similar accessibility to dietary micronutrients (mostly antioxidant vitamins) during both growth and sexual maturity had better enzymatic (erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase) and non-enzymatic (similar to PLAOX) antioxidant defences than those experiencing upward or downward changes in micronutrient availability. Nonetheless, the impact of reproduction in this context was untested [45].…”

Temperature experienced during incubation affects antioxidant capacity but not oxidative damage in hatchling red-eared slider turtles (Trachemys scripta elegans)

“…Consistent with this prediction, both pre-and postnatal stress experience has been related to variability in adult redox status (Constantini et al, 2012;Marasco et al, 2013;Noguera et al, 2015;Romero-Haro and Alonso-Alvarez, 2015;Zimmer and Spencer, 2015). For instance, following an intense heat stress in adulthood, zebra finches (Taeniopygi guttata) that had been exposed to a mild heat stress as juveniles acquired less oxidative damage than individuals with no prior exposure to heat stress (Constantini et al, 2012).…”

“…Similarly, plasticity of oxidative stress resistance and antioxidant defenses has also been observed following prenatal glucocorticoid exposure (Marasco et al, 2013;Zimmer and Spencer, 2015) and limited posthatch nutrient availability (Noguera et al, 2015;Romero-Haro and Alonso-Alvarez, 2015). The apparent priming of redox systems by early life experiences has been suggested to arise through epigenetic modifications of gene expression or post-translational alterations of enzymes (Romero-Haro and Alonso-Alvarez, 2015;Noguera et al, 2015) and may result in context-dependent fitness consequences (Marasco et al, 2013;Constantini et al, 2014;Noguera et al, 2015;Zimmer and Spencer, 2015).…”

Interacting effects of early dietary conditions and reproductive effort on the oxidative costs of reproduction

“…In this regard, the composition of the diet in early life in terms of antioxidant content may play an important role, since it can influence the way in which the antioxidant defence system operates later in life (Blount et al, 2003a; Noguera, Monaghan & Metcalfe, 2015; Romero-Haro & Alonso-Alvarez, 2015; Romero-Haro, Sorci & Alonso-Alvarez, 2016). For example, it has recently been shown that when diet composition in terms of antioxidant vitamins and mineral content is slightly lower than normal, young zebra finch ( Taeniopygia guttata ) nestlings can adjust the development of their antioxidant defence system (i.e., by increasing the production of some endogenous antioxidants and/or the absorption of exogenous vitamins) and compensate for such deficiencies (Noguera, Monaghan & Metcalfe, 2015). However, although potentially beneficial in the short term, theory predicts that these early phenotypic adjustments may be detrimental if (nutritional) conditions change later during development (reviewed by Nettle & Bateson, 2015).…”