Effects of oxidative stress and carotenoid intake on sperm/nmorphology and function in zebra finches

0454942 - ÚBO 2016 ES eng A - Abstrakt
Tomášek, Oldřich - Albrechtová, Jana - Opatová, Pavlína - Němcová, M. - Albrecht, Tomáš
Effects of oxidative stress and carotenoid intake on sperm/nmorphology and function in zebra finches.
10th conference of the European Ornithologist's Union, 24-28 August 2015, Badajoz: programme and abstracts. Badajoz: European Ornithologist's Union, 2015 - (Martin, G.; Marzal, A.). S8.4
[Conference of the European Ornithologist's Union /10./. 24.08.2015-28.08.2015, Badajoz]
Institucionální podpora: RVO:68081766
Klíčová slova: zebra finches * sperm
Kód oboru RIV: EG - Zoologie

Several sperm traits are considered important for male’s fertility and success in sperm competition. Functional sperm traits, such as velocity, and even the more heritable
morphological traits were shown to be phenotypically plastic, being affected by environmental stressors or immune activation. Since sperm cells are highly vulnerable to free radicals, it has been proposed that such plasticity could be underlain by oxidative
stress. It has been further proposed that carotenoid-based sexual ornaments could signal individual’s resistance to oxidative stress, and thus sperm quality. Here, we support the former hypothesis, by showing reduced sperm velocity and midpiece length following
experimental exposure of zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata) males to increased oxidative load (diquat dibromide). Free-radical effect on sperm velocity, but not midpiece length, was indeed dependent on carotenoid-based beak colouration; but contrary to our expectations,
the more colourful males were the more affected ones. Despite the traditional view of carotenoids as antioxidants, adverse effects of free radicals were not inhibited by experimentally increased carotenoid intake. On the other hand, high carotenoid intake reduced the abnormal sperm proportion, suggesting carotenoid importance for proper spermatogenesis. In summary, our results indicate a potential trade-off between ornament
expression and sperm quality in zebra finches.
Trvalý link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0255605