A1 Journal article (refereed)
Prenatal thyroid hormones accelerate postnatal growth and telomere shortening in wild great tits (2023)
Hsu, B.-Y., Cossin-Sevrin, N., Stier, A., & Ruuskanen, S. (2023). Prenatal thyroid hormones accelerate postnatal growth and telomere shortening in wild great tits. Journal of Experimental Biology, 226(6), Article jeb243875. https://doi.org/10.1242/jeb.243875
JYU authors or editors
Publication details
All authors or editors: Hsu, Bin-Yan; Cossin-Sevrin, Nina; Stier, Antoine; Ruuskanen, Suvi
Journal or series: Journal of Experimental Biology
ISSN: 0022-0949
eISSN: 1477-9145
Publication year: 2023
Publication date: 30/01/2023
Volume: 226
Issue number: 6
Article number: jeb243875
Publisher: The Company of Biologists
Publication country: United Kingdom
Publication language: English
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1242/jeb.243875
Publication open access: Openly available
Publication channel open access: Partially open access channel
Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/86207
Abstract
mediated by the early-life programming of telomere length, a key hallmark of ageing.
According to the fetal programming of telomere biology hypothesis, variation in prenatal
exposure to hormones is likely to influence telomere length. Yet the contribution of key
metabolic hormones, i.e. thyroid hormones (THs), has been largely ignored. We recently
showed that in contrast to predictions, exposure to elevated prenatal THs increased
postnatal telomere length in wild collared flycatchers, but the generality of such effect, its
underlying proximate mechanisms and consequences on survival have not been
investigated. We therefore conducted a comprehensive study evaluating the impact of THs
on potential drivers of telomere dynamics (growth, post-natal THs, mitochondria and
oxidative stress), telomere length and medium-term survival using wild great tits as a model
system. While prenatal THs did not significantly affect telomere length a week after hatching
(i.e. day 7), they influenced postnatal telomere shortening (i.e. shorter telomeres at day 14
and the following winter) but not apparent survival. Circulating THs, mitochondrial density or
oxidative stress biomarkers were not significantly influenced, whereas TH-supplemented
group showed accelerated growth, which may explain the observed delayed effect on
telomeres. We discuss several alternative hypotheses that may explain the contrast with our
previous findings in flycatchers. Given that shorter telomeres in early life tend to be carried
until adulthood and are often associated with decreased survival prospects, the effects of
prenatal THs on telomeres may have long-lasting effects on senescence.
Keywords: metabolism; ageing; mitochondria; telomeres; oxidative stress; great tit
Free keywords: developmental programming; thyroid hormone; telomere; ageing; mitochondria; metabolism; oxidative stress; maternal effects
Contributing organizations
Ministry reporting: Yes
Reporting Year: 2023
Preliminary JUFO rating: 2
