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Juveniles exposed to embryonic corticosterone have enhanced flight performance
Eunice H Chin1, Oliver P Love, Jan J Verspoor
1Environmental and Life Sciences Graduate Program, Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada K9J 7B8.
Proceedings. Biological Sciences
|October 10, 2008
Summary
Embryonic exposure to stress hormones like corticosterone can enhance offspring survival. Juvenile starlings exposed to higher yolk corticosterone showed improved flight performance and muscle development.
Area of Science:
- Developmental biology
- Ecology
- Animal physiology
Background:
- Maternally derived glucocorticoids during embryonic development influence offspring phenotype.
- While often viewed as negative, embryonic stress hormone exposure may prime offspring for survival in low-quality environments.
- Limited understanding exists on how maternal stress affects long-term, survival-related traits in wild populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the long-term effects of embryonic stress hormone exposure on survival-related traits in European starlings.
- To determine if experimentally elevated yolk corticosterone impacts flight performance, wing loading, and flight muscle development.
- To assess the adaptive potential of preparative phenotypes induced by embryonic stress.
Main Methods:
- Experimental elevation of yolk corticosterone in European starling eggs.
- Assessment of flight performance in fledglings post-exposure.
- Measurement of wing loading, flight muscle morphology, and physiology in juvenile birds.
Main Results:
- Fledglings exposed to elevated in ovo corticosterone exhibited superior flight performance.
- These individuals also showed reduced wing loading and more developed flight muscles.
- Results suggest a potential adaptive benefit of embryonic stress exposure on survival traits.
Conclusions:
- Embryonic exposure to maternally derived stress hormones, like corticosterone, can positively influence survival-related traits.
- These benefits, including enhanced flight performance and muscle development, may offset some negative developmental costs.
- A preparative phenotype developed under embryonic stress could be adaptive if early life experiences predict future environmental conditions.
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