Oxidative damage and antioxidant defense are assay and tissue‐dependent both in captive and wild‐caught bank voles (Myodes glareolus) before and after reproduction

Abstract

Reproduction is costly and life‐history theory predicts that current parental investment will result in lower survival or decreased future reproduction. The physiological mechanisms mediating the link between reproduction and survival are still under debate and elevated oxidative damage during reproduction has been proposed as a plausible candidate. Previous studies of oxidative stress during reproduction in animals under natural conditions have been restricted to analyses of blood. Herein, we measured the level of oxidative damage to lipids (tiobarbituric‐acid‐reactive substances) and proteins (carbonyls) in the liver, kidneys, heart and skeletal muscles in free‐living bank vole females from spring and autumn generations, before and after reproduction. Antioxidant defense in the liver and kidneys was also determined. We expected oxidative damage to tissues and hypothesized that the damage would be more uniform between tissues in wild animals compared to those breeding under laboratory conditions. Considering all combinations of markers/tissues/generations, oxidative damage in females did not differ before and after reproduction in 12 comparisons, was lower after reproduction in three comparisons, and was higher after breeding in one comparison. The total glutathione was significantly increased after reproduction only in the liver of the autumn generation and there was no change in catalase activity. Our results confirm—for the first time in the field—previous observations from laboratory studies that there is no simple link between oxidative stress and reproduction and that patterns depend on the tissue and marker being studied. Overall, however, our study does not support the hypothesis that the cost of reproduction in bank voles is mediated by oxidative stress in these tissues.

Crickets increase sexual signalling and sperm protection but live shorter in the presence of rivals

“…This discrepancy, however, does not necessarily indicate that there were no differences in oxidative stress between experimental groups. Supplementation studies often show that a higher availability of circulating antioxidants does not always reduce the level of all biomarkers of oxidative damage (Kim, Noguera, Tato, & Velando, ; Noguera, Monaghan, & Metcalfe, ; Sumien, Forster, & Sohal, ), given that they may vary between tissues and organs (Ołdakowski & Taylor, ; Veskoukis, Nikolaidis, Kyparos, & Kouretas, ). It is plausible that competitor present males accumulated more oxidative damage than the competitor absent males but such an effect was not mirrored in the haemolymph protein oxidation level.…”

Implication of Membrane Androgen Receptor (ZIP9) in Cell Senescence in Regressed Testes of the Bank Vole

“…Mature bank vole males (2–3 month old) were sorted into three groups according to their testes regression status [size (diameter measured in the middle of the testes by medical caliper) and weight]: not fully regressed, early regression (group 1—voles with the largest morphometric testes parameters, n = 5); not fully regressed, medium regression (group 2—voles with medium morphometric testes parameters, n = 7), and fully regressed (group 3—voles with the lowest morphometric testes parameters; n = 5). The age of each vole was assigned according to the root length of the first lower molar [ 75 ]. Seriously injured or freshly dead animals (due to agricultural field activity) were collected in the fields near Popielanski Forest (Popielno, Poland) in late October 2019.…”

COVID‐19 risk perception and negative emotional symptoms: Mediating role of self‐control and moderating role of life history strategy

“…Among these theories, life history theory merits particular attention. This theory initially focused on the delicate balance between reproduction and survival, aspects that have profound implications for an individual's social adaptation and health (Klomek et al, 2015; Ołdakowski & Taylor, 2018; Roff & Fairbairn, 2007; Sherman et al, 2013). Accordingly, the present study sought to investigate the potential moderating role of life history strategies on the effects of COVID‐19 risk perception on self‐control and negative emotional symptoms.…”