Urbanization and maternal hormone transfer: Endocrine and morphological phenotypes across ontogenetic stages

Heppner, Jennifer J; Krause, Jesse S.; Ouyang, Jenny Q.

doi:10.1016/j.ygcen.2022.114166

Cited by 3 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 72 publications

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“…There are no studies that we are aware of that have measured endothermic metabolic rates across an urban gradient, but our study points to a promising avenue of hypothesis‐driven research, given that some studies have found increased glucocorticoid levels, a hormone that drives glucose metabolism, in cities (Bonier, 2012). Additionally, we cannot rule out maternal effects, such as incubation behavioural differences or deposition of yolk hormones (Heppner et al, 2022; Heppner & Ouyang, 2021; Love & Williams, 2008).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These characteristics reduce reproductive success for house wrens living in urbanized areas, as we have previously reported that their offspring are smaller at fledgling, with higher corticosterone concentrations (a glucocorticoid hormone) ubiquitous across development and individuals (Heppner et al, 2022;Ouyang et al, 2019). The rearing environment was identified as the causative agent as the translocation of rural wrens to urban habitats increased corticosterone levels (Ouyang et al, 2019).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 95%

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Changes in the rearing environment cause reorganization of molecular networks associated with DNA methylation

Holdt

Kartzinel

Oers

et al. 2023

Journal of Animal Ecology

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Disentangling the interaction between the genetic basis and environmental context underlying phenotypic variation is critical for understanding organismal evolution. Environmental change, such as increased rates of urbanization, can induce shifts in phenotypic plasticity with some individuals adapting to city life while others are displaced. A key trait that can facilitate adaptation is the degree at which animals respond to stressors. This stress response, which includes elevation of baseline circulating concentrations of glucocorticoids, has a heritable component and exhibits intra‐ and inter‐individual variation. However, the mechanisms behind this variability and whether they might be responsible for adaptation to different environments are not known. Variation in DNA methylation can be a potential mechanism that mediates environmental effects on the stress response, as early‐life stressors increase glucocorticoid concentrations and change adult phenotype. We used an inter‐ and intra‐environmental cross‐foster experiment to analyse the contribution of DNA methylation to early‐life phenotypic variation. We found that at hatching, urban house wren (Troglodytes aedon) offspring had higher methylation frequencies compared with their rural counterparts. We also observed age‐related patterns in offspring methylation, indicating the developmental effects of the rearing environment on methylation. At fledgling, differential methylation analyses showed that cellular respiration genes were differentially methylated in broods of different origins and behavioural and metabolism genes were differentially methylated in broods of different rearing environments. Lastly, hyper‐methylation of a single gene (CNTNAP2) is associated with decreased glucocorticoid levels and the rearing environment. These differential methylation patterns linked to a specific physiological phenotype suggest that DNA methylation may be a mechanism by which individuals adjust to novel environments during their lifespan. Characterizing genetic and environmental influences on methylation is critical for understanding the role of epigenetic mechanisms in evolutionary adaptation.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 95%

Changes in the rearing environment cause reorganization of molecular networks associated with DNA methylation

Holdt

Kartzinel

Oers

et al. 2023

Journal of Animal Ecology

Self Cite

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“…In egg-laying vertebrates, glucocorticoids can be deposited into the egg yolk if maternal stress coincides with egg production (Almasi et al, 2012). This transfer of glucocorticoids has been observed in many avian species such as barn swallows (Saino et al, 2005), house wrens (Bowers et al, 2016, Heppner et al 2023, Japanese quail (Hayward and Wingfield, 2004), and chickens (Rettenbacher et al, 2009). These maternally deposited glucocorticoids can permanently alter offspring physiology and behavior by acting during critical points in development (Henriksen et al 2011).…”

Section: Maternal Stress Effects Are Mediated By Glucocorticoidsmentioning

confidence: 96%

Avian extraembryonic membranes respond to yolk corticosterone early in development

Harders,

Agustin,

Paitz

2024

Biology Open

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During times of maternal stress, developing embryos can be exposed to elevated levels of glucocorticoids which can affect development and permanently alter offspring phenotype. In placental species, the placenta mediates fetal exposure to maternal glucocorticoids via metabolism, yet the placenta itself responds to glucocorticoids to regulate offspring growth and development. In oviparous species, maternal glucocorticoids can be deposited into the egg yolk and are metabolized early in development. This metabolism is mediated by the extraembryonic membranes, but it is unknown if the extraembryonic membranes also respond to maternal glucocorticoids in a way comparable to the placenta. In this study, we quantified the expression of acyl-CoA thioesterase 13 (Acot13) as an initial marker of the membrane's response to corticosterone in chicken (Gallus gallus) eggs. Acot13 regulates fatty acid processing in the embryo, to potentially regulate resource availability during development. We addressed the following questions using Acot13 expression: 1) Do the extraembryonic membranes respond to yolk corticosterone early in development? 2) Is the response to corticosterone dependent on the dose of corticosterone? 3) What is the duration of the response to corticosterone? 4) Does a metabolite of corticosterone (5β-corticosterone) elicit the same response as corticosterone? We found that corticosterone significantly induces the expression of Acot13 on day four of development and that expression of Acot13 increases with the dose of corticosterone. Further, we found expression of Acot13 is significantly elevated by corticosterone on days four and six of development compared to oil treated eggs, but not on days eight and ten. Although this response is transient, it occurs during a critical period of development and could initiate a cascade of events that ultimately alter offspring phenotype. Finally, we found that 5β-corticosterone does not increase the expression of Acot13, indicating that metabolism inactivates corticosterone. Ultimately, this study provides insight into the mechanisms underlying how maternally deposited glucocorticoids can affect embryonic development.

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Resiliency of the comparative endocrinology community in the face of COVID-19

Carr,

Harris

2024

General and Comparative Endocrinology

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Urbanization and maternal hormone transfer: Endocrine and morphological phenotypes across ontogenetic stages

Cited by 3 publications

References 72 publications

Changes in the rearing environment cause reorganization of molecular networks associated with DNA methylation

Changes in the rearing environment cause reorganization of molecular networks associated with DNA methylation

Avian extraembryonic membranes respond to yolk corticosterone early in development

Resiliency of the comparative endocrinology community in the face of COVID-19

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