Publication
Title
Temporal and spatial covariation of gender and oxidative stress in the Galápagos land iguana **Conolophus subcristatus**
Author
Abstract
Physiological responses to organismal stress can have direct impacts on individual fitness. While responses to stressors mediated by glucocorticoid hormones are well studied, the regulation of the redox system via pro‐oxidant and antioxidant balance as well as the natural causes of oxidative stress in nature remain poorly known, especially for reptiles. In this study, we investigate the interpopulation and intersex variation in oxidative damage and plasma antioxidant capacity in the Galápagos land iguana, Conolophus subcristatus, over a 3‐yr study to evaluate what factors (e.g., season, food availability, reproductive activity) can explain levels and patterns of oxidative damage and of plasma antioxidant capacity. Our results indicate that (1) males showed lower levels of oxidative damage, higher levels of plasma antioxidant capacity, and better body condition than females and (2) significant interactions exist among patterns of oxidative damage across sexes, sampling localities, body condition, and season. These results suggest that reproductive activity and food abundance might act as determinants shaping levels and patterns of oxidative stress of land iguanas.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Physiological and biochemical zoology. - Chicago, Ill.
Publication
Chicago, Ill. : 2009
ISSN
1522-2152
DOI
10.1086/604668
Volume/pages
82 :5 (2009) , p. 430-437
ISI
000269741700003
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (publisher's version - intranet only)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Publication type
Subject
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 09.10.2015
Last edited 15.02.2023
To cite this reference