Elevated glucocorticoids during gestation suggest sex-specific effects on offspring telomere lengths in a wild lizard

The effects of maternal glucocorticoids (e.g. corticosterone, CORT) on offspring interest biologists due to increasing environmental perturbations. While little is known about the impact of maternal CORT on offspring fitness, it may modulate telomere length and compromise offspring health. Here, we use a modified real-time quantitative PCR assay to assess telomere length using small DNA quantities (<60 ng). We tested the hypothesis that increased maternal CORT during gestation decreases offspring telomere length. While CORT-driven telomere shortening is well established within individuals, cross-generational effects remain unclear. We treated wild-caught gravid female eastern fence lizards (Sceloporus undulatus) with daily transdermal applications of CORT, at ecologically relevant levels, from capture to laying. Maternal CORT treatment did not alter maternal telomere length, although baseline maternal CORT concentrations had a weak, negative correlation with maternal telomere length. There was no relation between mother and offspring telomere length. There was a trend for maternal CORT treatment to shorten telomeres of sons but not daughters. Our treatment replicated exposure to a single stressor per day, likely underestimating effects seen in the wild where stressors may be more frequent. Future research should further explore fitness consequences of maternal CORT effects.

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Work Title Elevated glucocorticoids during gestation suggest sex-specific effects on offspring telomere lengths in a wild lizard
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Open Access
Creators
  1. David C. Ensminger
  2. Sue R. Siegel
  3. Dustin A.S. Owen
  4. Michael J. Sheriff
  5. Tracy Langkilde
License In Copyright (Rights Reserved)
Work Type Article
Publisher
  1. Comparative biochemistry and physiology. Part A, Molecular & integrative physiology
Publication Date July 1, 2021
Publisher Identifier (DOI)
  1. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cbpa.2021.110971
Deposited July 15, 2021

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  • Created
  • Added Ensminger_Telomere_Manuscript_Short_Comm_w_figs.docx
  • Added Creator David C. Ensminger
  • Added Creator Sue R. Siegel
  • Added Creator Dustin A.S. Owen
  • Added Creator Michael J. Sheriff
  • Added Creator Tracy Langkilde
  • Published
  • Updated
  • Updated
  • Updated