Age-specific patterns of maternal investment in common gull egg yolk. (11th July 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Urvik, Janek; Rattiste, Kalev; Giraudeau, Mathieu; Okuliarová, Monika; Hõrak, Peeter; Sepp, Tuul
• Is Part Of: Biology letters. Volume 14:Number 7(2018)
• Publication Date: 2018-07-11
• Subjects: reproductive senescence -- testosterone -- carotenoids -- maternal effects; Biology -- Periodicals; 570.5
• DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2018.0346
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1744-9561

Abstract

Abstract : While the general patterns of age-specific changes in reproductive success are quite well established in long-lived animals, we still do not know if allocation patterns of maternally transmitted compounds are related to maternal age. We measured the levels of yolk testosterone, carotenoids and vitamins A and E in a population of known-aged common gulls ( Larus canus ) and found an age-specific pattern in yolk lutein and vitamin A concentrations. Middle-aged mothers allocated more of these substances to yolk compared to young and old mothers. These results can be explained through differences in age-specific foraging, absorption or deposition patterns of carotenoids and vitamins into yolk. If these molecules play a role in antioxidant defence and immune modulation, our results suggest a possible physiological pathway underlying the age-specific changes in reproductive success of long-lived birds in the wild.