A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Early-life environmental effects on mitochondrial aerobic metabolism: a brood size manipulation in wild great tits
Authors: Cossin-Sevrin Nina, Stier Antoine, Hukkanen Mikaela, Zahn Sandrine, Viblanc Vincent A, Anttila Katja, Ruuskanen Suvi
Publisher: The Company of Biologists Ltd.
Publication year: 2023
Journal: Journal of Experimental Biology
Journal name in source: The Journal of experimental biology
Journal acronym: J Exp Biol
Article number: jeb245932
Volume: 226
Issue: 21
ISSN: 0022-0949
eISSN: 1477-9145
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1242/jeb.245932
Web address : https://doi.org/10.1242/jeb.245932
Self-archived copy’s web address: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/182353119
In avian species, the number of chicks in the nest and subsequent sibling competition for food are major components of the offspring's early-life environment. A large brood size is known to affect chick growth, leading in some cases to long-lasting effects for the offspring, such as a decrease in size at fledgling and in survival after fledging. An important pathway underlying different growth patterns could be the variation in offspring mitochondrial metabolism through its central role in converting energy. Here, we performed a brood size manipulation in great tits (Parus major) to unravel its impact on offspring mitochondrial metabolism and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in red blood cells. We investigated the effects of brood size on chick growth and survival, and tested for long-lasting effects on juvenile mitochondrial metabolism and phenotype. As expected, chicks raised in reduced broods had a higher body mass compared with enlarged and control groups. However, mitochondrial metabolism and ROS production were not significantly affected by the treatment at either chick or juvenile stages. Interestingly, chicks raised in very small broods were smaller in size and had higher mitochondrial metabolic rates. The nest of rearing had a significant effect on nestling mitochondrial metabolism. The contribution of the rearing environment in determining offspring mitochondrial metabolism emphasizes the plasticity of mitochondrial metabolism in relation to the nest environment. This study opens new avenues regarding the effect of postnatal environmental conditions in shaping offspring early-life mitochondrial metabolism.
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