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Environmental enrichment induces intergenerational behavioural and epigenetic effects on fish
Waldir M Berbel-Filho1, Nikita Berry1, Deiene Rodríguez-Barreto1
1Department of Biosciences, Centre for Sustainable Aquatic Research, Swansea University, Swansea, UK.
Molecular Ecology
|May 21, 2020
Summary
Parental environments impact offspring behavior and brain DNA methylation. Environmental enrichment in parents led to altered offspring activity and neophobia, suggesting epigenetic inheritance.
Area of Science:
- Epigenetics and Behavioral Ecology
- Molecular Biology and Genetics
Background:
- Parental effects shape offspring phenotypes via pre- and post-natal routes.
- The molecular basis and adaptive significance of parental effects are not well understood.
- Epigenetic modifications, influenced by environment, are potential mediators of parental effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of environmental enrichment on parental behavior, metabolic rate, and brain DNA methylation in mangrove killifish (Kryptolebias marmoratus).
- To determine how parental environmental enrichment affects offspring behavior and DNA methylation patterns.
- To explore the role of epigenetic inheritance in mediating parental effects.
Main Methods:
- Rearing mangrove killifish parents in enriched versus barren environments.
- Measuring parental behavior (activity, neophobia), metabolic rate, and brain DNA methylation.
- Analyzing offspring behavior and brain DNA methylation patterns in relation to parental environment.
Main Results:
- Parental environmental enrichment resulted in lower cortisol, lower metabolic rates, increased activity, and neophobia in parents.
- Significant differences in 1,854 differentially methylated cytosines (DMCs) were observed between parent groups.
- Offspring activity and neophobia were influenced by the parental environment.
- 98 parental DMCs showed similar methylation patterns in offspring, with three significantly influenced by parental environment regardless of offspring rearing.
Conclusions:
- Parental environment significantly influences offspring behavior and brain DNA methylation patterns.
- Epigenetic modifications in parents may be transmitted to offspring, mediating behavioral and physiological changes.
- This study provides insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying parental effects and their adaptive potential.
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