Oxidative stress and climate change: effects of elevated temperatures on oxidative status, fertility and ageing in a tropical species of conservation concern

• Applicant: Michael Beaulieu, Ph.D.
• Subject Area: Ecology and Biodiversity of Animals and Ecosystems, Organismic Interactions ; Animal Physiology and Biochemistry ; Sensory and Behavioural Biology ; Animal Breeding, Animal Nutrition, Animal Husbandry
• Term: from 2015 to 2020
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 274367053

Understanding the response of animal species to climate variation is of primary importance to characterize the threat that climate change will constitute for their maintenance in their natural habitat. One key physiological candidate potentially underlying the relationship between elevated temperature due to climate warming and fitness deterioration is oxidative stress (i.e. the imbalance between the production of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) and antioxidant defences). Indeed, exposure to elevated temperatures increases ROS production and susceptibility to oxidative stress, which may in turn negatively impact fertility, ageing and survival. These effects should be most critical in tropical species with limited tolerance to temperature increase and already experiencing temperatures close to their upper critical temperature in their natural habitat. To characterize the threat that oxidative changes due to climate warming may constitute for a tropical species of conservation concern, I will first characterize the effects imposed by hot conditions in terms of oxidative stress and fitness components in the near-threatened Gouldian finch (Erythrura gouldiae). I will then test whether deleterious effects of elevated temperature on oxidative markers and fitness components can be alleviated by the consumption of natural food resources of high antioxidant potency.To achieve these objectives, I will measure the concomitant effects of exposure to different temperature conditions and of the availability of dietary antioxidants on (i) oxidative markers (oxidative damage and antioxidant defences), (ii) fertility and fecundity markers (sperm quality, egg production, reproductive performance) and (iii) ageing (measured through telomere shortening).This integrative approach, in line with the emerging field of conservation physiology, will establish for the first time a link between thermal conditions and oxidative balance in the context of climate change. This innovative approach will provide a novel insight into the potential implications of climate induced oxidative stress for the decline of tropical species and their capacity to resist climate changes.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: Netherlands, Switzerland
• Cooperation Partners: Professor Dr. Fabrice Helfenstein; Professor Dr. Simon Verhulst