Relationship between oxidative stress and circulating testosterone and cortisol in pre-spawning female brown trout

Hoogenboom, Mia O.; Metcalfe, Neil B.; Groothuis, Ton G. G.; de Vries, Bonnie; Costantini, David

doi:10.1016/J.CBPA.2012.07.002

Title

Relationship between oxidative stress and circulating testosterone and cortisol in pre-spawning female brown trout

Author

Hoogenboom, Mia O.

Metcalfe, Neil B.

Groothuis, Ton G. G.

de Vries, Bonnie

Costantini, David

Abstract

Reproduction in vertebrates is an energy-demanding process that is mediated by endogenous hormones and potentially results in oxidative stress. The primary aim of this study was to quantify the relationship between oxidative stress parameters (antioxidant capacity and levels of reactive oxygen metabolites) and circulating testosterone and cortisol in a common and widespread teleost fish, the brown trout (Salmo trutta. L). Results show that trout with higher testosterone levels prior to spawning have higher levels of oxidative damage at the time that they spawn (although by the time of spawning testosterone levels had dropped, leading to a negative relationship between testosterone and oxidative damage at that time). Cortisol levels were not directly related to oxidative damage or antioxidant capacity, but concentrations of this hormone were positively related to levels of fungal infection, which was itself associated both with lower antioxidant capacity and lower levels of oxidative damage. These results highlight the complexity of interactions between different components of the endocrine system and metabolism and suggest that caution be used in interpreting relationships between a single hormone and indicators of oxidative balance or other fitness proxies. (C) 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Language

English

Source (journal)

Comparative biochemistry and physiology : A : molecular & integrative physiology. - London

PHYSIOLOGY

Publication

London : 2012

ISSN

1095-6433

DOI

10.1016/J.CBPA.2012.07.002

Volume/pages