Biological clocks as age estimation markers in animals: a systematic review and meta‐analysis

Biological reviews/Biological reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 98(6), P. 1972 - 2011

Published: June 25, 2023

ABSTRACT Various biological attributes associated with individual fitness in animals change predictably over the lifespan of an organism. Therefore, study animal ecology and work conservationists frequently relies upon ability to assign functionally relevant age classes model population fitness. Several approaches have been applied determining and, while these methods proved useful, they are not without limitations often lack standardisation or only applicable specific species. For reasons, scientists explored potential use clocks towards creating a universal age‐determination method. Two clocks, tooth layer annulation otolith layering found appeal. Both highly invasive most appropriate for post‐mortem age‐at‐death estimation. More recently, cellular ageing previously humans adapted studying less‐invasive molecular age. Here, we review two such methods, assessment methylation telomere length, describing ( i ) what are, ii how age, providing iii summary meta‐analysis studies that their utility determination. We both studied across multiple vertebrate classes, however, were used before length has modelled nearly twice as many studies. Telomere included related changes stress responses illustrated is sensitive environmental social stressors absence repair mechanisms telomerase alternative lengthening modes, lacks recover. Methylation studies, also detecting sensitivity toxins, recover from stresses after period accelerated ageing, likely due constitutive expression reactivation enzymes DNA methyl transferases. parentally heritable features, but mode inheritance differs among taxa may relate heterogamy. Our more than 40 species common although analyses at least 60 age‐estimation models. outperforms terms predictive power evidenced effect sizes (more double observed telomeres) smaller prediction intervals. produced correlation models using similar sample able classify individuals into young, middle, old high accuracy. illustrate well suited do suffer significantly variation differences species, genome size, karyotype, tissue type rather quantitative method, patterns inheritance, factors should be main considerations. Thus, provided complex affecting measured trait can accounted for, promising targets develop biomarkers determination animals.

Language: Английский

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Linking telomere dynamics to evolution, life history and environmental change: perspectives, predictions and problems

Biogerontology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 25(2), P. 301 - 311

Published: Jan. 22, 2024

Abstract This perspectives paper considers the value of studying telomere biology outside a biomedical context. I provide illustrative examples kinds questions that evolutionary ecologists have addressed in studies dynamics non-model species, primarily metazoan animals, and what this can contribute to our understanding their evolution, life histories health. also discuss why predicted relationships between history traits, based on detailed cellular humans model organisms, are not always found other species.

Language: Английский

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Telomere dynamics in maturing frogs vary among organs

Biology Letters, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 21(2)

Published: Feb. 1, 2025

It is important to know whether organs age at the same rate and are equally affected by developmental conditions as this provides insights into causes of ageing. However, data on organ-specific telomere dynamics remain scant. In a previous study early life amphibian Xenopus laevis , we detected changes in lengths gut cells, while liver, heart muscle telomeres were unchanged; larval rearing temperature had minimal effects. Here, extend that examine four treatments from 70-day post-metamorphic juvenile through sexually mature (2-year-old) adults. Telomeres shortened adult gut, hindlimb muscle. contrast, liver did not change with but shorter if was warm. Organ influenced sex only Warmer temperatures also associated longer juveniles. Hence, pre-metamorphic can influence dynamics, loss between stages occurs different those earlier life. These findings indicate existence organ-dependent ageing rates across lifetimes, potentially related environmental history.

Language: Английский

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Relative telomere length in dairy calves and dams undergoing two different methods of weaning and separation after three months of contact

PLoS ONE, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 20(3), P. e0319156 - e0319156

Published: March 17, 2025

Telomere length (i.e., the of repeated sequences DNA at end chromosomes) is a promising indicator overall stress. Our study aimed to compare effects stress-inducing separation process between dams and their calves, with either gradual or nose-flap method after three-months dam-calf contact since calving, on relative telomere (RTL). Due nature, have different behaviour, stress hormone levels physical development during separation, which requires an measure weaning both procedures. We also investigated correlations behavioural other physiological indicators RTL. found no significant effect RTL in dairy calves from dams, but tendency for shorter gradually separated compared dams. No were found, may be due short interval two measurement points. Future studies should aim analyse various methods over longer period preferably include non-separation group as reference.

Language: Английский

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The influence of phylogeny and life history on telomere lengths and telomere rate of change among bird species: A meta‐analysis

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 11(19), P. 12908 - 12922

Published: Sept. 10, 2021

Abstract Longevity is highly variable among animal species and has coevolved with other life‐history traits, such as body size rates of reproduction. Telomeres, through their erosion over time, are one the cell mechanisms that produce senescence at level might even have an influence on rate aging in whole organisms. However, uneroded telomeres also risk factors immortalization. The associations telomere lengths, change, traits independent largely underexplored for birds. To test dynamics, we conducted a phylogenetic meta‐analysis using studies 53 We restricted analyses to applied restriction fragment length (TRF) method, examined relationships between mean chick ( Chick TL ) adult Adult stages, change during life TROC ), traits. 3 principal components 12 variables represented: (PC1), slow–fast continuum pace (PC2), postfledging parental care (PC3). Phylogeny had best small‐to‐medium r 2 = .190 .138, respectively), but substantial .688). strongly influenced histories: PC1 .828), PC2 (.838), PC3 (.613). were poorly associated variables. , however, was negatively moderate‐to‐strongly (unadjusted −.340; correction, −.490). Independent size, long‐lived smaller clutches, slower embryonic growth may exhibit less lifetimes. suggest lengths diverged, closely avian‐related species, yet dynamics linked life.

Language: Английский

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Telomeres, the loop tying cancer to organismal life‐histories

Molecular Ecology, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 31(23), P. 6273 - 6285

Published: May 5, 2022

Recent developments in telomere and cancer evolutionary ecology demonstrate a very complex relationship between the need of tissue repair controlling emergence abnormally proliferating cells. The trade-off is balanced by natural sexual selection mediated via both intrinsic environmental factors. Here, we explore effects telomere-cancer dynamics on life history traits strategies as well cumulative genetic We show that constitute an incredibly multifaceted process. From research to date, it appears length risk likely nonlinear with good evidence (too) long short telomeres can be associated increased risk. ability propensity organisms respond interplay oncogenic processes, depends combination its environments, strategies, challenges (i.e., extreme climatic conditions), pressure predators pollution, history. Consequently, precise interpretation requires integrative multidisciplinary approaches. Finally, incorporating information expression tumour suppressor genes oncogenes could potentially provide synergistic overview lay foundations study at ecosystem levels.

Language: Английский

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Temperature-independent telomere lengthening with age in the long-lived human fish ( Proteus anguinus )

Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 290(1998)

Published: May 3, 2023

Despite a number of studies showing negative relationship between age and telomere length, the universality this pattern has been recently challenged, mainly in ectothermic animals exhibiting diverse effects on shortening. However, data ectotherms may be strongly affected by thermal history individuals. We thus investigated age-related changes relative length skin small but long-lived amphibian living naturally stable environment over its entire life, allowing comparison with other homeothermic like birds mammals. The present showed positive relation individual age, independent sex body size. A segmented analysis highlighted breakpoint length–age relationship, suggesting that reached plateau at 25 years. Further focusing biology live much longer than expected based mass will contribute to our better understanding how ageing processes evolved also bring innovation for extending human health span.

Language: Английский

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Telomeres and telomerase: active but complex players in life-history decisions

Biogerontology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 25(2), P. 205 - 226

Published: Aug. 23, 2023

Language: Английский

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Why and when should organisms elongate their telomeres? Elaborations on the ‘excess resources elongation’ and ‘last resort elongation’ hypotheses

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 13(12)

Published: Dec. 1, 2023

Telomere length and telomere shortening are thought to be critical cellular attributes processes that related an individual's life span fitness. The general pattern across most taxa is after birth gradually decreases with age. protection restoration mechanisms usually assumed reduce the rate of or at keep constant. However, here we have compiled a list 26 articles showing there increasing number studies reporting apparent elongation telomeres (i.e., net increase in TL from time

Language: Английский

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Waterbird solves the string-pull test

Royal Society Open Science, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 8(12)

Published: Dec. 1, 2021

String-pulling is among the most widespread cognitive tasks used to test problem-solving skills in mammals and birds. The task requires animals comprehend that pulling on a non-valuable string moves an otherwise inaccessible food reward within their reach. Although at least 90 avian species have been administered string-pull test, all but five of them were perching birds (passeriformes) or parrots (psittaciformes). Waterbirds (Aequorlitornithes) are poorly represented literature, yet known engage complex foraging behaviours. In this study, we tested whether free-living ring-billed gulls ( Larus delawarensis ), for behavioural flexibility innovativeness, could solve horizontal test. Here, show 25% (26/104) attempted once over maximum three trials successful, 21% (22/104) succeeded during first attempt. Ring-billed thus waterbird single-string-rewarded Since innovation rate associated with species' ability endure environmental alterations, suggest testing other facing challenges will inform us vulnerability rapidly changing world.

Language: Английский

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