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  1. Article ; Online: Maternal developmental history alters transfer of circadian clock genes to offspring in Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica).

    Harvey-Carroll, Jessica / Stevenson, Tyler J / Spencer, Karen A

    Journal of comparative physiology. A, Neuroethology, sensory, neural, and behavioral physiology

    2023  

    Abstract: Maternal signals shape embryonic development, and in turn post-natal phenotypes. RNA deposition is one such method of maternal signalling and circadian rhythms are one trait thought to be maternally inherited, through this mechanism. These maternal ... ...

    Abstract Maternal signals shape embryonic development, and in turn post-natal phenotypes. RNA deposition is one such method of maternal signalling and circadian rhythms are one trait thought to be maternally inherited, through this mechanism. These maternal circadian gene transcripts aid development of a functioning circadian system. There is increasing evidence that maternal signals can be modified, depending on prevailing environmental conditions to optimise offspring fitness. However, currently, it is unknown if maternal circadian gene transcripts, and consequently early embryonic gene transcription, are altered by maternal developmental conditions. Here, using avian mothers who experienced either pre-natal corticosterone exposure, and/or post-natal stress as juveniles we were able to determine the effects of the timing of stress on downstream circadian RNA deposition in offspring. We demonstrated that maternal developmental history does indeed affect transfer of offspring circadian genes, but the timing of stress was important. Avian mothers who experienced stress during the first 2 weeks of post-natal life increased maternally deposited transcript levels of two core circadian clock genes, BMAL1 and PER2. These differences in transcript levels were transient and disappeared at the point of embryonic genome transcription. Pre-natal maternal stress alone was found to elicit delayed changes in circadian gene expression. After activation of the embryonic genome, both BMAL1 and PER2 expression were significantly decreased. If both pre-natal and post-natal stress occurred, then initial maternal transcript levels of BMAL1 were significantly increased. Taken together, these results suggest that developmental stress differentially produces persistent transgenerational effects on offspring circadian genes.
    Language English
    Publishing date 2023-08-17
    Publishing country Germany
    Document type Journal Article
    ZDB-ID 120907-3
    ISSN 1432-1351 ; 0302-9824 ; 0373-0859 ; 0340-7594
    ISSN (online) 1432-1351
    ISSN 0302-9824 ; 0373-0859 ; 0340-7594
    DOI 10.1007/s00359-023-01666-2
    Database MEDical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System OnLINE

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  2. Article ; Online: Developmental stress and social phenotypes: integrating neuroendocrine, behavioural and evolutionary perspectives.

    Spencer, Karen A

    Philosophical transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological sciences

    2017  Volume 372, Issue 1727

    Abstract: The social world is filled with different types of interactions, and social experience interacts with stress on several different levels. Activation of the neuroendocrine axis that regulates the response to stress can have consequences for innumerable ... ...

    Abstract The social world is filled with different types of interactions, and social experience interacts with stress on several different levels. Activation of the neuroendocrine axis that regulates the response to stress can have consequences for innumerable behavioural responses, including social decision-making and aspects of sociality, such as gregariousness and aggression. This is especially true for stress experienced during early life, when physiological systems are developing and highly sensitive to perturbation. Stress at this time can have persistent effects on social behaviours into adulthood. One important question remaining is to what extent these effects are adaptive. This paper initially reviews the current literature investigating the complex relationships between the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and other neuroendocrine systems and several aspects of social behaviour in vertebrates. In addition, the review explores the evidence surrounding the potential for 'social programming' via differential development and activation of the HPA axis, providing an insight into the potential for positive effects on fitness following early life stress. Finally, the paper provides a framework from which novel investigations could work to fully understand the adaptive significance of early life effects on social behaviours.This article is part of the themed issue 'Physiological determinants of social behaviour in animals'.
    MeSH term(s) Animals ; Behavior, Animal/physiology ; Biological Evolution ; Neurosecretory Systems/growth & development ; Neurosecretory Systems/physiology ; Social Behavior ; Stress, Physiological ; Vertebrates/growth & development ; Vertebrates/physiology
    Language English
    Publishing date 2017-06-30
    Publishing country England
    Document type Journal Article ; Review
    ZDB-ID 208382-6
    ISSN 1471-2970 ; 0080-4622 ; 0264-3839 ; 0962-8436
    ISSN (online) 1471-2970
    ISSN 0080-4622 ; 0264-3839 ; 0962-8436
    DOI 10.1098/rstb.2016.0242
    Database MEDical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System OnLINE

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  3. Article ; Online: Long-term effects of adolescent stress on neophobic behaviors in zebra finches are modulated by social context when in adulthood.

    Emmerson, Michael G / Spencer, Karen A

    Hormones and behavior

    2017  Volume 90, Page(s) 48–55

    Abstract: Experiencing stress during adolescence can increase neophobic behaviors in adulthood, but most tests have been conducted in the absence of conspecifics. Conspecifics can modulate responses to stressors, for example by acting as 'social buffers' to ... ...

    Abstract Experiencing stress during adolescence can increase neophobic behaviors in adulthood, but most tests have been conducted in the absence of conspecifics. Conspecifics can modulate responses to stressors, for example by acting as 'social buffers' to attenuate the aversive appraisal of stressors. Here, we investigate the long-term effects of adolescent stress on the behavioral responses to novel stimuli (a mild stressor) across social contexts in an affiliative passerine bird, the zebra finch. During early (days 40-60) or late (days 65-85) adolescence the birds (n=66) were dosed with either saline or the hormone corticosterone (CORT). CORT was given in order to mimic a physiological stress response and saline was given as a control. In adulthood, the birds' behavioral responses to a novel environment were recorded in both the presence and absence of conspecifics. An acute CORT response was also quantified in adolescence and adulthood. Our findings show clear evidence of social context mediating any long-term effects of adolescent stress. In the presence of familiar conspecifics no treatment effects were detected. Individually, birds dosed with CORT in early adolescence were slower to enter a novel environment, spent more time perching in the same novel environment, and, if female, engaged in more risk assessment. Birds dosed in late adolescence were unaffected. No treatment effects were detected on CORT, but adolescents had a higher CORT concentration than adults. Our results are the first to suggest that familiar conspecifics in adulthood can buffer the long-term effects of stress that occurred during early adolescence.
    MeSH term(s) Adaptation, Psychological/physiology ; Aging/metabolism ; Aging/psychology ; Animals ; Behavior, Animal/physiology ; Corticosterone/metabolism ; Female ; Finches/growth & development ; Finches/metabolism ; Finches/physiology ; Male ; Sexual Maturation/physiology ; Social Environment ; Stress, Physiological/physiology ; Stress, Psychological/physiopathology ; Time
    Chemical Substances Corticosterone (W980KJ009P)
    Language English
    Publishing date 2017-02-03
    Publishing country United States
    Document type Journal Article
    ZDB-ID 214409-8
    ISSN 1095-6867 ; 0018-506X
    ISSN (online) 1095-6867
    ISSN 0018-506X
    DOI 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2017.02.004
    Database MEDical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System OnLINE

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  4. Article ; Online: Glucocorticoid programming of neuroimmune function.

    Walker, David J / Spencer, Karen A

    General and comparative endocrinology

    2017  

    Abstract: Throughout life physiological systems strive to maintain homeostasis and these systems are susceptible to exposure to maternal or environmental perturbations, particularly during embryonic development. In some cases, these perturbations may influence ... ...

    Abstract Throughout life physiological systems strive to maintain homeostasis and these systems are susceptible to exposure to maternal or environmental perturbations, particularly during embryonic development. In some cases, these perturbations may influence genetic and physiological processes that permanently alter the functioning of these physiological systems; a process known as developmental programming. In recent years, the neuroimmune system has garnered attention for its fundamental interactions with key hormonal systems, such as the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis. The ultimate product of this axis, the glucocorticoid hormones, play a key role in modulating immune responses within the periphery and the CNS as part of the physiological stress response. It is well-established that elevated glucocorticoids induced by developmental stress exert profound short and long-term physiological effects, yet there is relatively little information of how these effects are manifested within the neuroimmune system. Pre and post-natal periods are prime candidates for manipulation in order to uncover the physiological mechanisms that underlie glucocorticoid programming of neuroimmune responses. Understanding the potential programming role of glucocorticoids may be key in uncovering vulnerable windows of CNS susceptibility to stressful experiences during embryonic development and improve our use of glucocorticoids as therapeutics in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.
    Language English
    Publishing date 2017-07-17
    Publishing country United States
    Document type Journal Article ; Review
    ZDB-ID 1851-x
    ISSN 1095-6840 ; 0016-6480
    ISSN (online) 1095-6840
    ISSN 0016-6480
    DOI 10.1016/j.ygcen.2017.07.016
    Database MEDical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System OnLINE

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  5. Article ; Online: Group housing during adolescence has long-term effects on the adult stress response in female, but not male, zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata).

    Emmerson, Michael G / Spencer, Karen A

    General and comparative endocrinology

    2017  

    Abstract: Adolescent social interactions can have long-term effects on physiological responses to stressors in later-life. A larger adolescent group size can result in higher stressor-induced secretion of glucocorticoids in adulthood. The effect may be due to a ... ...

    Abstract Adolescent social interactions can have long-term effects on physiological responses to stressors in later-life. A larger adolescent group size can result in higher stressor-induced secretion of glucocorticoids in adulthood. The effect may be due to a socially-mediated modulation of gonadal hormones, e.g. testosterone. However, group size (number of animals) has been conflated with social density (space per animal). Therefore it is hard to determine the mechanisms through which adolescent group size can affect the stress response. The current study aimed to tease apart the effects of group size and social density during adolescence on the physiological stress response and gonadal hormone levels in adulthood. Adolescent zebra finches were housed in groups varying in size (2 vs. 5 birds per cage) and density (0.03m
    Language English
    Publishing date 2017-07-08
    Publishing country United States
    Document type Journal Article
    ZDB-ID 1851-x
    ISSN 1095-6840 ; 0016-6480
    ISSN (online) 1095-6840
    ISSN 0016-6480
    DOI 10.1016/j.ygcen.2017.07.008
    Database MEDical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System OnLINE

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  6. Article ; Online: Social experience during adolescence in female rats increases 50 kHz ultrasonic vocalizations in adulthood, without affecting anxiety-like behavior.

    Emmerson, Michael G / Spencer, Karen A / Brown, Gillian R

    Developmental psychobiology

    2019  Volume 62, Issue 2, Page(s) 212–223

    Abstract: Adolescents are highly motivated to engage in social interactions, and researchers have hypothesized that positive social relationships during adolescence can have long term, beneficial effects on stress reactivity and mental well-being. Studies of ... ...

    Abstract Adolescents are highly motivated to engage in social interactions, and researchers have hypothesized that positive social relationships during adolescence can have long term, beneficial effects on stress reactivity and mental well-being. Studies of laboratory rodents provide the opportunity to investigate the relationship between early social experiences and later behavioral and physiological responses to stressors. In this study, female Lister-hooded rats (N = 12 per group) were either (a) provided with short, daily encounters (10 min/day) with a novel partner during mid-adolescence (postnatal day 34-45; "social experience," SE, subjects) or (b) underwent the same protocol with a familiar cagemate during mid-adolescence ("control experience," CE, subjects), or (c) were left undisturbed in the home cage (non-handled "control," C, subjects). When tested in adulthood, the groups did not differ in behavioral responses to novel environments (elevated plus maze, open field, and light-dark box) or in behavioral and physiological (urinary corticosterone) responses to novel social partners. However, SE females emitted significantly more 50 kHz ultrasonic vocalizations than control subjects both before and after social separation from a familiar social partner, which is consistent with previous findings in male rats. Thus, enhanced adolescent social experience appears to have long-term effects on vocal communication and could potentially modulate adult social relationships.
    MeSH term(s) Age Factors ; Animals ; Anxiety/physiopathology ; Corticosterone/urine ; Female ; Rats ; Social Behavior ; Ultrasonics ; Vocalization, Animal/physiology
    Chemical Substances Corticosterone (W980KJ009P)
    Language English
    Publishing date 2019-08-19
    Publishing country United States
    Document type Journal Article ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
    ZDB-ID 4107-5
    ISSN 1098-2302 ; 0012-1630
    ISSN (online) 1098-2302
    ISSN 0012-1630
    DOI 10.1002/dev.21906
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  7. Article ; Online: Reduced resistance to oxidative stress during reproduction as a cost of early-life stress.

    Zimmer, Cédric / Spencer, Karen A

    Comparative biochemistry and physiology. Part A, Molecular & integrative physiology

    2014  Volume 183, Page(s) 9–13

    Abstract: Stress exposure during early-life development can have long-term consequences for a variety of biological functions including oxidative stress. The link between early-life stress and oxidative balance is beginning to be explored and previous studies have ...

    Abstract Stress exposure during early-life development can have long-term consequences for a variety of biological functions including oxidative stress. The link between early-life stress and oxidative balance is beginning to be explored and previous studies have focused on this link in adult non-breeding or immature individuals. However, as oxidative stress is considered as the main physiological mechanism underlying the trade-off between self-maintenance and investment in reproduction, it is necessary to look at the consequences of early-life stress on oxidative status during reproduction. Here, we investigated the effects of exposure to pre- and/or post-natal stress on oxidative balance during reproduction under benign or stressful environmental conditions in an avian model species, the Japanese quail. We determined total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS) and resistance to a free-radical attack in individual exposed to pre-natal stress, post-natal stress or both and in control individuals exposed to none of the stressors. TAS levels decreased over time in all females that reproduced under stressful conditions. TOS decreased between the beginning and the end of reproductive period in pre-natal control females. In all females, resistance to a free-radical attack decreased over the reproductive event but this decrease was more pronounced in females from a pre-natal stress development. Our results suggest that pre-natal stress may be associated with a higher cost of reproduction in terms of oxidative stress. These results also confirm that early-life stress can be associated with both benefits and costs depending of the life-history stage or environmental context.
    MeSH term(s) Animals ; Antioxidants/metabolism ; Coturnix/physiology ; Female ; Male ; Oxidants/blood ; Oxidative Stress/physiology ; Pregnancy ; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects ; Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism ; Reproduction/physiology ; Stress, Physiological
    Chemical Substances Antioxidants ; Oxidants ; Reactive Oxygen Species
    Language English
    Publishing date 2014-12-24
    Publishing country United States
    Document type Journal Article ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
    ZDB-ID 121246-1
    ISSN 1531-4332 ; 0300-9629 ; 1095-6433
    ISSN (online) 1531-4332
    ISSN 0300-9629 ; 1095-6433
    DOI 10.1016/j.cbpa.2014.12.032
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  8. Article ; Online: Stress and life history.

    Monaghan, Pat / Spencer, Karen A

    Current biology : CB

    2014  Volume 24, Issue 10, Page(s) R408–12

    Abstract: In his book on behavioural endocrinology, Randy Nelson describes 'stress' as a 'notoriously ethereal concept'. Yet, despite this lack of clarity, studies of the consequences of stress across different time scales, life history stages, taxa and levels of ... ...

    Abstract In his book on behavioural endocrinology, Randy Nelson describes 'stress' as a 'notoriously ethereal concept'. Yet, despite this lack of clarity, studies of the consequences of stress across different time scales, life history stages, taxa and levels of biological enquiry form a large part of modern biology and biomedicine. Organisms need to recognise and respond to environmental challenges. Being able to do so appropriately, and with minimal costs, is an important physiological attribute, with great adaptive value. The costs and benefits of different mechanisms that enable organisms to cope with unpredictable environmental changes can be manifest to different degrees at different life stages. Accordingly, the level of stress experienced in the environment can act as a strong selective pressure that drives the evolution of life histories.
    MeSH term(s) Animals ; Biological Evolution ; Environment ; Humans ; Stress, Physiological ; Stress, Psychological
    Language English
    Publishing date 2014-05-19
    Publishing country England
    Document type Journal Article
    ZDB-ID 1071731-6
    ISSN 1879-0445 ; 0960-9822
    ISSN (online) 1879-0445
    ISSN 0960-9822
    DOI 10.1016/j.cub.2014.04.017
    Database MEDical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System OnLINE

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  9. Article ; Online: Early-life adversity programs long-term cytokine and microglia expression within the HPA axis in female Japanese quail.

    Walker, David J / Zimmer, Cédric / Larriva, Maria / Healy, Susan D / Spencer, Karen A

    The Journal of experimental biology

    2019  Volume 222, Issue Pt 6

    Abstract: Stress exposure during prenatal and postnatal development can have persistent and often dysfunctional effects on several physiological systems, including immune function, affecting the ability to combat infection. The neuroimmune response is inextricably ...

    Abstract Stress exposure during prenatal and postnatal development can have persistent and often dysfunctional effects on several physiological systems, including immune function, affecting the ability to combat infection. The neuroimmune response is inextricably linked to the action of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Cytokines released from neuroimmune cells, including microglia, activate the HPA axis, while glucocorticoids in turn regulate cytokine release from microglia. Because of the close links between these two physiological systems, coupled with potential for persistent changes to HPA axis activity following developmental stress, components of the neuroimmune system could be targets for developmental programming. However, little is known of any programming effects of developmental stress on neuroimmune function. We investigated whether developmental stress exposure via elevated prenatal corticosterone (CORT) or postnatal unpredictable food availability had long-term effects on pro- (
    MeSH term(s) Animals ; Avian Proteins/genetics ; Avian Proteins/metabolism ; Corticosterone/administration & dosage ; Coturnix/genetics ; Coturnix/physiology ; Cytokines/genetics ; Cytokines/metabolism ; Female ; Food Deprivation ; Gene Expression ; Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System/metabolism ; Microglia/metabolism ; Pituitary-Adrenal System/metabolism
    Chemical Substances Avian Proteins ; Cytokines ; Corticosterone (W980KJ009P)
    Language English
    Publishing date 2019-03-21
    Publishing country England
    Document type Journal Article ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
    ZDB-ID 218085-6
    ISSN 1477-9145 ; 0022-0949
    ISSN (online) 1477-9145
    ISSN 0022-0949
    DOI 10.1242/jeb.187039
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  10. Article: Behavioural and energetic responses to body state in male and female barn swallows (Hirundo rustica).

    Spencer, Karen A

    Zoological science

    2005  Volume 22, Issue 4, Page(s) 437–443

    Abstract: Females and males often have different roles when attending young. The factors responsible for shifts in the balance of effort when both sexes provision their young are not clear. This study asked if sex-specific behaviour and provisioning rules in barn ... ...

    Abstract Females and males often have different roles when attending young. The factors responsible for shifts in the balance of effort when both sexes provision their young are not clear. This study asked if sex-specific behaviour and provisioning rules in barn swallows (Hirundo rustica) were dependent on individual body-state or affected by the state of their provisioning partner. To assess this male and female barn swallows underwent overnight warming manipulations whilst provisioning 10-14 day old nestlings, a time when energetic demands are maximal. The overnight warming treatment reduced thermoregulatory costs and provided birds with extra energy reserves at dawn. Only one member of a pair was manipulated in this way, whilst their partners were left un-manipulated to assess their response to their partner's elevated body-state. The energetic and behavioural responses to these manipulations were followed over the subsequent 24-h. I found that warmed male and female barn swallows increased their energy expenditure and nest visitation rates to the same extent after manipulation, implying a trade-off in resource allocation, which was biased towards reproductive effort. There was no effect of gender. Males paired with manipulated females showed no energetic or behavioural adjustments, however, females paired with manipulated males tended to increase both energy expenditure and nest visitation. This study provides evidence that energy reserves constrain behaviour, and that male and female swallows normally follow the same state-dependent rules when provisioning young.
    MeSH term(s) Analysis of Variance ; Animals ; Body Constitution/physiology ; Energy Metabolism/physiology ; Female ; Hot Temperature ; Male ; Nesting Behavior/physiology ; Scotland ; Sex Factors ; Swallows/physiology
    Language English
    Publishing date 2005-04
    Publishing country Japan
    Document type Comparative Study ; Journal Article ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
    ZDB-ID 2038883-4
    ISSN 0289-0003
    ISSN 0289-0003
    DOI 10.2108/zsj.22.437
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