A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Oxidative stress in a capital breeder (Vipera aspis) facing pregnancy and water constraints
Authors: Stier A, Dupoue A, Picard D, Angelier F, Brischoux F, Lourdais O
Publisher: COMPANY BIOLOGISTS LTD
Publication year: 2017
Journal: Journal of Experimental Biology
Journal name in source: JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY
Journal acronym: J EXP BIOL
Volume: 220
Issue: 10
First page : 1792
Last page: 1796
Number of pages: 5
ISSN: 0022-0949
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1242/jeb.156752
Abstract
The physiological mechanisms underlying the 'cost of reproduction' remain under debate, though oxidative stress has emerged as a potential candidate. The 'oxidative cost of reproduction' has received considerable attention with regards to food and antioxidant availability; however, the limitation of water availability has thus far been neglected. In this study, we experimentally examined the combined effect of pregnancy and water deprivation on oxidative status in a viviparous snake (Vipera aspis), a species naturally exposed to periods of water and food deprivation. We predicted a cumulative effect of pregnancy and dehydration on oxidative stress levels. Our results support the occurrence of an oxidative cost of reproduction as we found higher oxidative damage levels in pregnant females than in non-reproductive individuals, despite an upregulation of antioxidant defences. Surprisingly, water deprivation was associated with an up-regulation of antioxidant defences, and did not increase oxidative damage, either alone or in combination with reproduction.
The physiological mechanisms underlying the 'cost of reproduction' remain under debate, though oxidative stress has emerged as a potential candidate. The 'oxidative cost of reproduction' has received considerable attention with regards to food and antioxidant availability; however, the limitation of water availability has thus far been neglected. In this study, we experimentally examined the combined effect of pregnancy and water deprivation on oxidative status in a viviparous snake (Vipera aspis), a species naturally exposed to periods of water and food deprivation. We predicted a cumulative effect of pregnancy and dehydration on oxidative stress levels. Our results support the occurrence of an oxidative cost of reproduction as we found higher oxidative damage levels in pregnant females than in non-reproductive individuals, despite an upregulation of antioxidant defences. Surprisingly, water deprivation was associated with an up-regulation of antioxidant defences, and did not increase oxidative damage, either alone or in combination with reproduction.
UTU Research Portal