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Media type:
E-Article
Title:
Maternal developmental history alters transfer of circadian clock genes to offspring in Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica)
Contributor:
Harvey-Carroll, Jessica;
Stevenson, Tyler J.;
Spencer, Karen A.
imprint:
Springer Science and Business Media LLC, 2023
Published in:Journal of Comparative Physiology A
Language:
English
DOI:
10.1007/s00359-023-01666-2
ISSN:
0340-7594;
1432-1351
Origination:
Footnote:
Description:
<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:p>Maternal signals shape embryonic development, and in turn post-natal phenotypes. RNA deposition is one such method of maternal signalling and circadian rhythms are one trait thought to be maternally inherited, through this mechanism. These maternal circadian gene transcripts aid development of a functioning circadian system. There is increasing evidence that maternal signals can be modified, depending on prevailing environmental conditions to optimise offspring fitness. However, currently, it is unknown if maternal circadian gene transcripts, and consequently early embryonic gene transcription, are altered by maternal developmental conditions. Here, using avian mothers who experienced either pre-natal corticosterone exposure, and/or post-natal stress as juveniles we were able to determine the effects of the timing of stress on downstream circadian RNA deposition in offspring. We demonstrated that maternal developmental history does indeed affect transfer of offspring circadian genes, but the timing of stress was important. Avian mothers who experienced stress during the first 2 weeks of post-natal life increased maternally deposited transcript levels of two core circadian clock genes, <jats:italic>BMAL1</jats:italic> and <jats:italic>PER2</jats:italic>. These differences in transcript levels were transient and disappeared at the point of embryonic genome transcription. Pre-natal maternal stress alone was found to elicit delayed changes in circadian gene expression. After activation of the embryonic genome, both <jats:italic>BMAL1</jats:italic> and <jats:italic>PER2</jats:italic> expression were significantly decreased. If both pre-natal and post-natal stress occurred, then initial maternal transcript levels of <jats:italic>BMAL1</jats:italic> were significantly increased. Taken together, these results suggest that developmental stress differentially produces persistent transgenerational effects on offspring circadian genes.</jats:p>