Maternal effects
- Characterizing the timing of yolk testosterone metabolism and the effects of etiocholanolone on development in avian eggs
Summary: Maternally derived steroids are metabolized during incubation. Here, we determine the timing of this embryonic metabolism for testosterone and assess early effects of metabolites on embryonic growth.
- Maternal glucocorticoids promote offspring growth without inducing oxidative stress or shortening telomeres in wild red squirrels
Summary: Experimental increases in glucocorticoids in breeding female North American red squirrels affects offspring postnatal growth but not levels of oxidative damage and antioxidants or telomere lengths.
- Are there synergistic or antagonistic effects of multiple maternally derived egg components on offspring phenotype?
Summary: Simultaneous, experimental manipulation of two maternally derived egg components (maternal antibodies and testosterone) provides little evidence for strong or long-term synergistic or antagonistic effects on offspring phenotype.
- Avian yolk androgens are metabolized rather than taken up by the embryo during the first days of incubation
Highlighted Article: Mass spectrometric analysis using stable isotope labelled androgens shows that maternal androgens in bird egg yolk are not taken up by the embryo during early incubation but rather are metabolized.
- Evidence of embryonic regulation of maternally derived yolk corticosterone
Summary: Embryos are capable of metabolizing maternally derived yolk corticosterone to minimize exposure during development and to avoid deleterious effects on phenotype and survival.
- Characterizing the distribution of steroid sulfatase during embryonic development: when and where might metabolites of maternal steroids be reactivated?
Summary: Steroid sulfatase activity hydrolyzes steroid sulfates back to an active form. Here we demonstrate steroid sulfatase is present in various tissues during embryonic development.
- Antioxidants and embryo phenotype: is there experimental evidence for strong integration of the antioxidant system?
Summary: Weak relationships exist between several yolk antioxidants, oxidative status markers in the yolk, liver and brain, and embryo morphology in the yellow-legged gull.
- Parental thermal environment alters offspring sex ratio and fitness in an oviparous lizard
Summary: The thermal environment experienced by parents influences the phenotype of their offspring.
- Water deprivation increases maternal corticosterone levels and enhances offspring growth in the snake Vipera aspis
Summary: Water deprivation induces an increase in baseline corticosterone level in pregnant aspic vipers, which may subsequently influence offspring growth.
- The association between parental life history and offspring phenotype in Atlantic salmon
Summary: The duration of early and later life stages of both parents (i.e. their life history) may have a significant influence on offspring traits in salmon.