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Yolk vitamin E prevents oxidative damage in gull hatchlings
Marco Parolini1, Lela Khoriauli2, Cristina Daniela Possenti1
1Department of Environmental Science and Policy, via Celoria 26, I-20133 Milan, Italy.
Royal Society Open Science
|June 3, 2017
Summary
Maternal vitamin E (VE) in bird eggs improves antioxidant capacity in hatchlings but does not prevent telomere attrition or oxidative damage, challenging previous expectations about early development protection.
Area of Science:
- Avian reproduction and development
- Oxidative stress and antioxidant defenses
- Epigenetics and telomere dynamics
Background:
- Early developmental oxidative stress impacts life-history traits.
- Maternally deposited antioxidants in bird eggs protect embryos.
- Antioxidants are crucial for mitigating oxidative damage and maintaining telomere length.
Purpose of the Study:
- To experimentally investigate the effect of increased yolk vitamin E on oxidative status and telomere length in yellow-legged gull hatchlings.
- To determine if elevated vitamin E levels protect against early postnatal oxidative damage.
Main Methods:
- Manipulation of vitamin E (VE) concentration in yellow-legged gull (Larus michahellis) egg yolks.
- Analysis of oxidative status markers (total antioxidant capacity, pro-oxidant molecules) in hatchling plasma.
- Measurement of telomere length and oxidative damage markers (proteins, lipids) in hatchlings.
Main Results:
- Increased yolk VE concentration significantly boosted plasma total antioxidant capacity.
- Elevated VE levels reduced plasma pro-oxidant molecule concentrations.
- Despite improved antioxidant status, telomere attrition and oxidative damage to proteins/lipids were not ameliorated.
Conclusions:
- Maternal vitamin E supplementation enhances antioxidant defenses in gull hatchlings.
- The protective effects of vitamin E may not extend to preventing telomere attrition or direct oxidative damage in early development.
- Further research is needed to understand the complex interplay between antioxidants, oxidative stress, and developmental trajectories in birds.
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