Immunoregulatory activity of different dietary carotenoids in male zebra finches

Summary. Many animals use carotenoid pigments to color their integument and become sexually attractive. These colorants can also serve physiological functions, protecting cells and tissues from oxidative damage as well as stimulating the immune system. Because animals often acquire several different carotenoid pigments from their diet, there is the potential for different carotenoids to exhibit different free-radical-scavenging or immunoenhancing activity. We experimentally tested how two common dietary xanthophylls - lutein and zeaxanthin - may differentially affect the immune system in male zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata). Male T. guttata derive their red sexual beak colorants from these two carotenoids, and prior studies with this species have shown that lutein and zeaxanthin together boost cell-mediated immunity. We experimentally elevated these two dietary carotenoids separately in two groups of non-breeding zebra finches, but found that lutein-supplemented and zeaxanthin-supplemented males mounted similar cell-mediated immune responses (to phytohaemagglutinin, or PHA). Although zeaxanthin is a more conjugated carotenoid than lutein and has the potential to be a more potent antioxidant, our study suggests that such a subtle structural difference between these two biochemicals does not differentially affect immune performance in this songbird.     

Developmental stress affects song learning but not song complexity and vocal amplitude in zebra finches

Several recent studies have tested the hypothesis that song quality in adult birds may reflect early developmental conditions, specifically nutritional stress during the nestling period. Whilst all of these earlier studies found apparent links between early nutritional stress and song quality, their results disagree as to which aspects of song learning or production were affected. In this study, we attempted to reconcile these apparently inconsistent results. Our study also provides the first assessment of song amplitude in relation to early developmental stress and as a potential cue to male quality. We used an experimental manipulation in which the seeds on which the birds were reared were mixed with husks, making them more difficult for the parents to obtain. Compared with controls, such chicks were lighter at fledging; they were thereafter placed on a normal diet and had caught up by 100 days. We show that nutritional stress during the first 30 days of life reduced the birds’ accuracy of song syntax learning, resulting in poorer copies of tutor songs. Our experimental manipulations did not lead to significant changes in song amplitude, song duration or repertoire size. Thus, individual differences observed in song performance features probably reflect differences in current condition or motivation rather than past condition.     

Effects of prenatal yolk androgens on armaments and ornaments of the ring-necked pheasant

Mothers may profoundly affect offspring phenotype and performance by adjusting egg components, including steroid hormones. We studied the effects of elevated prenatal testosterone (T) exposure in the ring-necked pheasant on the expression of a suite of male and female traits, including perinatal response to stress, immune response, growth, and secondary sexual traits. Prenatal T levels were increased by injecting the yolk of unincubated eggs with physiological doses of the hormone. Yolk T injection resulted in a reduced length of male tarsal spurs, a trait which positively predicts male success in intra- and intersexual selection and viability, whereas no direct effect on male wattle characteristics or plumage traits of either sex was observed. Female spur length was also negatively affected by T, but to a lesser extent than in males. In addition, the covariation between male secondary sexual traits, which are reliable quality indicators, differed between T and control males, suggesting that the manipulation may have altered the assessment of overall male quality by other males and females. In conclusion, the negative effects of elevated yolk T on spur length, a trait which positively predicts male fitness, coupled with the lack of effects on growth or other traits in both sexes, provided limited evidence for mothers being subjected to a trade-off between positive and negative consequences of yolk T deposition on offspring traits and suggest that directional selection for reduced yolk T levels may occur in the ring-necked pheasant.     

Testosterone-induced depression of male parental behavior in the barn swallow: female compensation and effects on seasonal fitness

In birds, many aspects of male socio-sexual and parental behavior are influenced by androgens, most notably testosterone (T). We report the effects of subcutaneous T-implants in male barn swallows (Hirundo rustica) on male and female parental behavior and on seasonal reproductive success. Males were assigned to one of three experimental groups: (i) implanted with a T-filled Silastic tube; (ii) implanted with an empty Silastic tube; and (iii) not implanted. T-implanted males provided a smaller proportion of feedings (number of feedings by the male/total number of feedings by both parents) and fed nestlings less frequently (number of feedings/h) than males of the other two groups. Females paired to T-implanted males fed nestlings significantly more often than females paired with unimplanted males. Females almost fully compensated for their mates' shortfall, and this resulted in similar combined feeding efforts among treatments. Reproductive success in their first broods or during the entire breeding season was unaffected by T- treatment. These results confirm earlier reports of the suppressive effects of T on male parental behavior. However, they are inconsistent with current ESS models that predict partial compensation as the optimal response by one individual to reduction of parental effort by its mate in monogamous, biparental systems.     

Testosterone upregulates lipoprotein status to control sexual attractiveness in a colorful songbird

A salient feature of many secondary sexual characteristics in animals is that their expression is controlled by sex-steroid hormones. However, for only a few types of ornaments do we know the precise molecular mechanism by which androgens like testosterone (T) enhance trait production. We studied the red carotenoid-based beak of male zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata), which serves as a sexually selected trait and is thought to be T dependent. In previous research, we demonstrated that the extent to which male finches produce lipoproteins in the bloodstream, which bind carotenoid pigments acquired from the diet and transport them to peripheral tissues, regulates the accumulation of carotenoids in the body and beak pigmentation. Here we show that T acts to upregulate lipoprotein production and allows male zebra finches to display flashy, sexually attractive coloration. Levels of circulating T in blood positively and significantly predicted lipoprotein profile (as measured by cholesterol levels), blood carotenoid concentration, and beak color. Exogenous T administration elevated cholesterol and carotenoid status as well as beak redness. Last, experimental inhibition of T (using the anti-androgen flutamide) downregulated lipoprotein production and carotenoid circulation and faded the beak. This androgen- and lipoprotein-mediated system represents one of the more detailed physiological mechanisms underlying the development of a sex-steroid-dependent trait in animals.     

The influence of parental age and weather on testosterone concentration and offspring survival in broods of tawny owl Strix aluco

Previous research has suggested that parental condition may affect offspring mortality patterns by affecting offspring testosterone levels. Accordingly, we hypothesized that there is a relationship between offspring testosterone concentration and survival during the early nestling period, and that both are influenced by parent age/experience and by prey availability. We tested our hypothesis on tawny owls Strix aluco in their first and third known breeding seasons, when they bred either in adverse or mild weather conditions, in Duna-Ipoly National Park, Hungary. Plasma testosterone concentrations of the nestlings were analyzed and related to parental condition, hatching order and nestling mortality. Inexperienced parents breeding in all weather conditions and experienced parents breeding in adverse conditions were both in poor condition compared to experienced parents breeding in mild conditions. Parents in poor condition produced broods with large between-sibling differences in testosterone concentrations and their later-hatched nestlings (which had low testosterone levels) died during the early nestling period, whereas parents in good condition produced broods with lower variation in offspring testosterone concentrations and all offspring survived the early nestling period. We discuss environmental influences on the amount of testosterone deposited in eggs, and also how maternal testosterone might induce those mechanisms producing testosterone in the nestlings.Communicated by M. Webster, T. Czeschlik     

双酚A对青岛大扁藻的干扰效应

为了探讨双酚A(bisphenol A,BPA)对海洋微藻的生态毒性效应,实验选择了以青岛大扁藻(Platymonas helgolanidica)作为受试物种,设置6个实验浓度(即0、2、4、6、8、10 mg·L-1)对微藻进行了96 h暴露处理,测定了不同浓度暴露下对青岛大扁藻的生长以及抗氧化系统酶活性等指标。研究结果表明,BPA对青岛大扁藻的96h-EC50为9.32 mg·L-1,属高毒类污染物。青岛大扁藻经过BPA暴露处理后,细胞密度下降,细胞色素含量降低,并且呈现明显的剂量-效应关系;细胞抗氧化系统中超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)、单脱氢抗坏血酸还原酶(MDHAR)、脱氢抗坏血酸还原酶(DHAR)、谷胱甘肽还原酶(GR)活性均受到干扰。     

Prelaying maternal condition modifies the association between egg mass and T cell-mediated immunity in kestrels

Theoretical models of parental care predict differential allocation in relation to the expected fitness of the offspring. As birds must allocate all the resources required for embryonic development in self-contained packages, maternal egg allocation takes a central role in avian life histories. It is predicted that mothers can influence offspring performance by varying the size or composition of their eggs. In this context, T cell-mediated immune response has been revealed as a valuable tool to evaluate fledgling fitness. However, little is known about its relationships to egg mass. I describe a negative association between egg mass and cellular immune response in Eurasian kestrel nestlings (Falco tinnunculus) throughout 3 years. To explore how environmental conditions could mediate this relationship, I experimentally supplied food to females before egg formation in the third study year. I found that this relationship turned to positive in food-supplied females without any effect on egg size. This result shows that environmental conditions before egg formation mediate the relationship between egg mass and future immune response of the nestlings. I suggest that females may be constrained in improving the future immune response of their offspring due to resource allocation trade-offs determined by their pre-laying condition.     

Factors influencing length of maternal care in brown bears (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Ursus arctos</Emphasis>) and its effect on offspring

Length of maternal care, i.e. the interval between successfully raised litters, is the most important factor explaining the variation in reproductive rate among brown-bear (Ursus arctos) populations. In this paper, we examine the variation in length of maternal care in radio-marked brown bears and its effect on their offspring in northern Sweden. Young stayed with their mothers for 1.4–1.5 or 2.4–2.5 (in one case 3.5) years and were weaned with body masses varying from 17 to 69 kg. The probability of yearling litters staying with their mother for a 2nd year increased with decreasing yearling body mass, and was higher for litters with two offspring than for litters with one or three to four offspring. Staying with their mothers for a 2nd year had a positive effect on mass gain in yearlings and this effect was more pronounced in litters with two than three to four offspring. Body mass of 2-year-olds was not related to age of weaning, suggesting that keeping offspring for an additional year mainly compensated for low yearling body mass. If large offspring body mass positively affects later offspring survival and reproduction, mothers may be able to optimize the length of maternal care according to the litter size and the size of their yearlings.Communicated by F. Trillmich     

Biological traits of three closely related species of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pycnoclavella</Emphasis> (Ascidiacea) in the Western Mediterranean

The reproductive cycles and abundance of the sympatric colonial ascidians Pycnoclavella brava, Pycnoclavella aurilucens and Pycnoclavella communis from two Northwestern Mediterranean sites over a period of 2.5 years are reported. The species showed some differences in their biological patterns. Gonad maturation and larval brooding took place during autumn and early winter for P. communis, during spring for P. aurilucens and during late winter and spring for P. brava. Summer was found to be the unfavorable season for all species, and an aestivation period occurred in P. communis and P. brava. Maximum abundance for the three species was observed during winter. Growth rates of the most abundant species, P. communis, were also monitored and found to peak during the initial phases of reactivation after aestivation. Growth rates decreased afterwards, becoming negative as water temperature started to increase after the winter minima. Reproductive activity and growth rates for P. communis displayed a temporal lag that suggested partitioning of resources to either reproduction or growth in this species.     

Effects of testosterone on male-male competition and male-female interactions in blue tits

In temperate-zone birds, testosterone (T) influences male behavior during the breeding season. The elevation of plasma levels of T to a breeding baseline is necessary for basic reproductive behaviors, but it is still unclear whether variation in T levels above this critical threshold influences the intensity of these behaviors. Such a relationship between T and sexually selected traits is a critical assumption of the immunocompetence handicap hypothesis. We here experimentally elevated T levels in blue-tit males above the natural mean (T-males) during the period of nest building and egg laying, without manipulating hormone levels during chick feeding. T-males neither interacted more often with other males, nor did they respond more aggressively to a dummy intruder, compared to males with control implants. T-males did not guard their social mates more closely, but they were more likely to interact with potential extra-pair mates. Females mated to T-males did not change their behavior during egg laying and the treatment did not significantly affect male and female feeding rates. Despite this, nests of T-males produced larger and heavier fledglings in one study year. Our observations suggest that T levels above the natural mean during the mating period do not increase aggressive or territorial behavior in male blue tits. However, if females perceived T-males as high-quality mating partners, superior offspring development in nests of T-males might be caused by higher maternal investment. Hence, male behaviors involved in mate attraction may have been influenced by T levels above the natural mean.Communicated by R. Gibson     

Female house martins (Delichon urbica) reduce egg androgen deposition in response to a challenge of their immune system

Female birds deposit in the yolks of eggs substantial amounts of androgens, such as testosterone and androstenedione. These androgens have been shown to speed up nestling development, induce a fast development of ornaments and increase dominance in adults. Experiments in several species have reported that females invest greater amounts of androgens in the eggs fathered by attractive males, suggesting that yolk androgen is a costly investment for either the offspring or the mother. There is some evidence that nestling immunocompetence may be partially suppressed by high levels of yolk androgens, but it is not known whether this is also the case for females. We tested this hypothesis in the house martin by inducing an immune challenge through an injection of sheep red blood cells, a standard challenge of the humoral immune system. Experimental birds laid eggs with lower amounts of yolk androstenedione than controls, and there was a similar non-significant trend for testosterone. Furthermore, the probability of laying a replacement clutch was higher for birds that had laid a first clutch with relatively high levels of yolk testosterone. These results suggest that yolk androgen deposition is limited by immune costs in the female, and that only females in good condition may afford to invest high levels of androgen in eggs in this species.     

四环素对微囊藻生长及光合作用的毒性效应机制

光合作用是蓝藻生长繁殖的生理基础,研究四环素胁迫下蓝藻的生长和光合作用的变化和响应,有助于揭示其作用机制。为探究四环素对微囊藻的毒性效应,对培养在0、0.1、0.2、0.5、1.0、2.0和5.0 mg·L~(-1)共7个浓度下的微囊藻的细胞数、叶绿素a含量、微囊藻光合系统Ⅱ(PSⅡ)快速光响应曲线(RLCs)及快速叶绿素荧光诱导动力学曲线(OJIP)进行了测定。结果表明,四环素处理7 d后,微囊藻的半致死浓度(LC_(50))为(0.571±0.036) mg·L~(-1)。随着四环素浓度的增加,微囊藻生长受到抑制,叶绿素含量减少,PSⅡ中单位反应中心失活。当四环素浓度高于0.5 mg·L~(-1)时,微囊藻Q_A~-到Q_B的电子传递被抑制,造成Q_A~-大量积累,影响PSⅡ的电子受体侧。然而,在低浓度四环素处理中,以吸收光能为基础的性能指数(PI_(ABS))、用于电子传递的量子产额(φ_(Eo))和最大光化学效率(φ_(Po))显著升高,用于热耗散的量子比率(φ_(Do))显著降低。这些结果表明,低浓度四环素处理时,微囊藻能通过自身调节改变PSⅡ中能量配置,改变电子传递速率,提高光合效率,从而应对低浓度四环素胁迫,而当四环素浓度较高时,微囊藻的光合作用显著降低,生长受到抑制。     

Impacts of flight distance on sex ratio and resource allocation to offspring in the leafcutter bee, Megachile rotundata

Fisher's theoretical prediction of equal investment in each sex for a panmictic population (The genetical theory of natural selection. Clarendon, Oxford, 1930) can be altered by a number of factors. For example, the sex ratio theory predicts variation in equal investment in each sex when the maternal fitness gains from increased investment differ between sexes. Changing sex allocation because of changing payoffs may result from different ecological situations, such as foraging conditions. We investigated the impact of foraging travel cost on relative investment in sons vs daughters. Field studies were carried out with the central-place-foraging leafcutter bee Megachile rotundata (Fabricius), which has smaller males than females. Therefore, less investment is required to produce a viable son compared with a daughter. We found that with increased flight distance to resources, females produced a greater proportion of sons. Females also invested fewer resources in individual sons and daughters and produced fewer offspring with increased flight distance.     

污染场地河道底泥浸出液对斑马鱼胚胎的毒性效应

为了评价某污染场地河道底泥对水生生物的毒性效应及其潜在生态风险,以斑马鱼(Brachydanio rerio)为受试生物,进行了河道底泥浸出液对斑马鱼胚胎的发育毒性实验。结果表明,5种底泥浸出液(A1、A2、A3、A4、A5)对斑马鱼胚胎的发育均有毒性效应,浸出液对斑马鱼胚胎的死亡率存在一定的剂量-效应关系,随着浸出液体积分数的增加,死亡率显著上升。浸出液对胚胎孵化抑制作用明显,随着浸出液体积分数的增加,孵化率显著下降。且能引起斑马鱼胚胎多种中毒症状,如水肿,鱼体弯曲,发育不全等异常现象,表明该段河道底泥存在潜在的生态风险。因此,在后期的污染场地河道整治中,需对河道底泥进行挖掘清理和无害化处理。     

邻苯二甲酸二乙基己酯(DEHP)对马氏珠母贝(Pinctada martensi)血细胞免疫功能及氧化应激效应的影响

邻苯二甲酸二乙基己酯(DEHP)是一种持久性的有机污染物(POPs),具有潜在毒性、致癌性。选取马氏珠母贝(Pinctada martensi)为研究对象,研究DEHP对其血淋巴细胞免疫功能和脂质过氧化水平的影响。将成年马氏珠母贝暴露于不同浓度(0.5、2.0、8.0、16.0 mg·L-1)的DEHP中,暴露14 d后测定血细胞数目(THC)、吞噬能力(phagocytic activity)、细胞膜稳定性(cell membrane stability)、脂质过氧化程度(LPO)和总谷胱甘肽含量(T-GSH)的变化。结果显示,血细胞数目随DEHP浓度的升高而降低,呈明显的剂量-效应关系,最低可见效应浓度(LOEC)0.5 mg·L-1。细胞膜稳定性和吞噬活力均随DEHP浓度的升高,呈现先升高后降低的变化趋势,其LOEC值分别小于2和8 mg·L-1。细胞中丙二醛(MDA)含量随染毒浓度增加逐渐升高,在8 mg·L-1浓度组达到最高值,之后降低,与之相应的脂质过氧化水平也呈现先升高后降低的变化趋势,LOEC2 mg·L-1。8mg·L-1浓度组的总谷胱甘肽含量与对照组相比存在显著差异性(p0.05),LOEC8 mg·L-1。研究结果表明:DEHP染毒14 d对马氏珠母贝血淋巴细胞免疫功能有明显的影响,同时还会诱导机体产生氧化应激效应,在所测试的指标中,血细胞计数对DEHP的胁迫最敏感(LOEC0.5 mg·L-1),细胞膜稳定性和脂质过氧化水平的敏感性次之(LOEC2 mg·L-1)。     

The impact of behavioral and physiological maternal effects on offspring sex ratio in the common snapping turtle,<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Chelydra serpentina</Emphasis>

Theory suggests that maternal effects are especially important in organisms with environmentally-sensitive sex-determining mechanisms. However, there is no substantive body of empirical evidence to confirm this conjecture. We integrated field and laboratory studies to jointly evaluate the significance of behavioral (nest-site choice) and physiological (yolk hormone allocation) maternal effects on offspring sex ratio in the common snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina), a species with temperature-dependent sex determination (TSD). Of the 16 microhabitat variables measured, only three (south, east, and total overstory vegetation cover) were significantly correlated with nest temperature: cooler nests were located under more vegetation cover. In turn, these microhabitat predictors of nest temperature, and nest temperature itself, may influence nest sex ratio: shadier, cooler nests were more likely to produce a higher proportion of male offspring than less shady, warmer nests. Analysis of eggs from these same nests incubated in a common garden design in the laboratory revealed that clutch sex ratio was unaffected by levels of yolk estradiol, yolk testosterone, or their interaction. Examination of both behavioral and physiological maternal effects revealed no concordant impact on offspring sex ratio. However, eggs from nests that produced male-biased sex ratios in the field yielded higher proportions of males under constant-temperature conditions in the laboratory. Our study confirms the importance of behavioral maternal effects in nature on offspring sex ratios in species with TSD, while also revealing the potential presence of a predisposition for sex-ratio production underlying TSD in this system.Communicated by S. Krackow     

全氟辛酸(PFOA)对菲律宾蛤仔体内酶活性的影响

采用半静态毒性实验方法,将菲律宾蛤仔(Ruditapes philippinarum)分别暴露于0.2、2、20μg·L-1的全氟辛酸(perfluorooctanoic acid,PFOA)中,在处理后第1、3、6、10、15、21天分别取样,测定整体组织中超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)、过氧化物酶(POD)、谷胱甘肽-S-转移酶(GST)、7-乙氧基异吩噁唑酮脱乙基酶(EROD)活性和过氧化脂质(LPO)含量。酶活性分析结果显示:PFOA对菲律宾蛤仔组织SOD、CAT和POD活性均呈现先促进后抑制的作用;低浓度组SOD活性在暴露第1天达到最高,显著高于对照组(P<0.01);中高浓度组SOD活性在暴露第6天达到最低;暴露1~15 d,低浓度组CAT活性均显著高于对照组(P<0.05);高浓度组CAT活性在暴露第6天得到显著诱导,其余时间基本处于抑制状态;中浓度组POD活性在暴露第3天即达到最高,高浓度组POD活性基本一直处于抑制状态;随着PFOA暴露时间的延长,菲律宾蛤仔组织LPO含量呈现了先降低后升高的趋势;各浓度组中EROD的活力都显著被诱导(P<0.01),与处理浓度呈正相关;中高浓度组的GST活性在胁迫期间变化比较显著,呈现诱导-抑制的变化规律。研究表明,PFOA暴露能够引起菲律宾蛤仔组织抗氧化酶和生物转化酶的变化,可以与其他敏感性指标一起作为指示早期海洋PFOA污染的生物标志物。     

Biotic and abiotic stress effects on nitrogen chemistry in the salt marsh cordgrassSpartina alterniflora (Poaceae)

Summary Planthopper (Insecta: Homoptera) feeding stress induces a senesence-like response in the leaves ofSpartina alterniflora characterized by decreased soluble protein, an increased total amino acid pool, and elevated levels of 10 individual amino acids. Increased proline and tryptophan in response to planthopper feeding could not be fully explained by protein degradation. Low degrees of soil salinity stress resulted in an increased total free amino acid pool and elevated levels of 7 amino acids. Anaerobic soil stress resulted in decreased glutamic acid and increased asparagine. Low salinity and anaerobic stress had no effect on soluble protein levels. Glycinebetaine was not affected by the stresses examined in this study.     

Comparative growth response of two varieties of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Vigna radiata</Emphasis> L. (var. PDM 54 and var. NM 1) grown on different tannery sludge applications: effects of treated wastewater and ground water used for irrigation

This study evaluates the possibility of using contaminated soil by treated tannery wastewater and the use of tannery sludge in agriculture. The plants of Vigna radiata var. PDM 54 grown on contaminated soil and irrigated with ground water have not shown the translocation of toxic metal (Cr) in the upper part. The biomass of the plant increased when irrigated with treated tannery wastewater compared to ground water, whereas no significant change was observed in chlorophyll and protein contents. In both the varieties (var. PDM 54 and var. NM 1) of V. radiata grown on tannery sludge amendments, the growth parameters exhibited a pronounced positive growth response up to 35% tannery sludge amendments compared with the plants grown on garden soil. Despite the Cr accumulation at lower amendments, no toxicity symptoms were observed in both the varieties of the plants. Higher amendments affected various growth parameters, NR activity, and carbohydrate content of the plants. The results suggest that the plants of V. radiata (var. PDM 54) may be grown on contaminated soil or lower sludge amendments and irrigated with ground water. No translocation of toxic metal Cr was found in the seeds of the plants grown in up to 25% tannery sludge. However, periodical monitoring is required before the consumption of seeds. Overall, the results showed that plant growth patterns were influenced to some extent by the level of soil contamination and the water used for irrigation.