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Pacheco-Fuentes 2023 Oecologia

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Publications in the MiPMap
Pacheco-Fuentes H, Ton R, Griffith SC (2023) Short- and long-term consequences of heat exposure on mitochondrial metabolism in zebra finches (Taeniopygia castanotis). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00442-023-05344-7

» Oecologia [Epub ahead of print]. PMID: 36894790 Open Access

Pacheco-Fuentes Hector, Ton Riccardo, Griffith Simon C (2023) Oecologia

Abstract: Understanding the consequences of heat exposure on mitochondrial function is crucial as mitochondria lie at the core of metabolic processes, also affecting population dynamics. In adults, mitochondrial metabolism varies with temperature but can also depend on thermal conditions experienced during development. We exposed zebra finches to two alternative heat treatments during early development: "constant", maintained birds at ambient 35 °C from parental pair formation to fledglings' independence, while "periodic" heated broods at 40 °C, 6 h daily at nestling stage. Two years later, we acclimated birds from both experiments at 25 °C for 21 days, before exposing them to artificial heat (40 °C, 5 h daily for 10 days). After both conditions, we measured red blood cells' mitochondrial metabolism using a high-resolution respirometer. We found significantly decreased mitochondrial metabolism for Routine, Oxidative Phosphorylation (OxPhos) and Electron Transport System maximum capacity (ETS) after the heat treatments. In addition, the birds exposed to "constant" heat in early life showed lower oxygen consumption at the Proton Leak (Leak) stage after the heat treatment as adults. Females showed higher mitochondrial respiration for Routine, ETS and Leak independent of the treatments, while this pattern was reversed for OxPhos coupling efficiency (OxCE). Our results show that short-term acclimation involved reduced mitochondrial respiration, and that the reaction of adult birds to heat depends on the intensity, pattern and duration of temperature conditions experienced at early-life stages. Our study provides insight into the complexity underlying variation in mitochondrial metabolism and raises questions on the adaptive value of long-lasting physiological adjustments triggered by the early-life thermal environment. Keywords: Acclimation, Carry-over effects, Developmental programming, Heatwave, Metabolic rates Bioblast editor: Plangger M O2k-Network Lab: AU Sydney Griffith SC


Labels: MiParea: Respiration, Developmental biology 


Organism: Birds  Tissue;cell: Blood cells  Preparation: Intact cells 

Regulation: Temperature  Coupling state: LEAK, ROUTINE, OXPHOS, ET  Pathway: N, ROX  HRR: Oxygraph-2k 

2023-03