Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal
axis
(HPA)
flexibility
is
an
emerging
concept
recognizing
that
individuals
will
cope
best
with
stressors
probably
be
those
using
their
hormones
in
the
most
adaptive
way.
The
HPA
considers
glucocorticoids
as
molecules
convey
information
about
environment
from
brain
to
body
so
organismal
phenotype
comes
complement
prevailing
conditions.
In
this
context,
FKBP5
protein
appears
set
extent
which
circulating
glucocorticoid
concentrations
can
vary
within
and
across
stressors.
Thus,
expression,
it
causes,
seem
represent
individual’s
ability
regulate
its
orchestrate
responses
As
expression
also
easily
measured
blood,
could
a
worthy
target
of
conservation-oriented
research
attention.
We
first
review
known
likely
roles
wildlife.
then
describe
putative
genetic,
environmental,
epigenetic
causes
variation
among-
within-individuals.
Finally,
we
hypothesize
how
should
affect
fitness
hence
population
viability
response
human-induced
rapid
environmental
changes,
particularly
urbanization.
Animal Cognition,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
28(1)
Published: March 13, 2025
Abstract
Cerebral
lateralisation,
the
differential
cognitive
processing
in
two
brain
hemispheres,
is
variable
among
individuals
most
vertebrates.
Part
of
this
variance
has
been
attributed
to
plasticity
response
environmental
stressors
experienced
by
and
might
be
therefore
mediated
action
glucocorticoids
(GCs).
Accordingly,
we
tested
hypothesis
that
GC
pathway
related
stress,
which
involved
its
cognate
receptor
GR,
affects
individuals’
lateralisation.
First,
characterised
behavioural
lateralisation
phenotype
outbred
wild-type
zebrafish
using
three
different
tests:
a
motor
test,
test
involving
visual
social
stimulus
(subject’s
mirror
image),
with
negative
valence
(predator).
Subsequently,
quantified
expression
gr
gene
subjects,
specifically
telencephalon
mesencephalon
each
hemisphere.
Our
population
exhibited
individual
variation
but
no
population-level
bias
across
hemispheres.
When
correlated
patterns
tests
expression,
observed
higher
mesencephalic
right
hemisphere
were
more
inclined
process
their
image
Additionally,
telencephalon,
showed
reduced
predator
stimulus.
This
study
supports
GCs
affect
some
aspects
particular
those
stimuli,
thought
GC-Gr
suggests
intraspecific
could
result
from
differences
expression.
Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
379(1898)
Published: Feb. 5, 2024
Glucocorticoid
hormones
(GCs)
modulate
acute
'stress'
responses
in
vertebrates,
exerting
their
actions
across
many
physiological
systems
to
help
the
organism
face
and
overcome
challenges.
These
take
place
via
binding
glucocorticoid
receptor
(GR),
which
determines
not
only
magnitude
of
GC-mediated
response
but
also
negative
feedback
that
downregulates
GCs
restore
homeostasis.
Although
GR
function
is
assumed
determine
GC
regulation
capacity,
associations
between
abundance
individuals'
coping
abilities
remain
cryptic.
We
developed
a
dynamic
model
fitted
empirical
data
predict
effects
on
both
plasma
patterns
response.
Individuals
with
higher
GRs
showed
lower
exposure,
stronger
greater
capacity
adjust
this
according
stressor
intensity,
may
be
translated
into
more
resilient
flexible
phenotypes.
Our
results
show
among-individual
variability
challenges
detectability
association
measurements
responses.
approach
provides
mechanistic
insights
role
function,
point
at
fundamentally
driving
complex
features
system
environmental
change.
This
article
part
theme
issue
'Endocrine
variation:
conceptual
approaches
recent
developments'.
Hormones and Behavior,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
149, P. 105316 - 105316
Published: Jan. 31, 2023
The
hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical
axis
can
translate,
through
glucocorticoid
secretion,
the
prenatal
environment
to
development
produce
phenotypes
that
match
prevailing
environmental
conditions.
However,
whether
developmental
plasticity
is
modulated
by
interaction
between
circulating
glucocorticoids
and
receptor
expression
remains
unclear.
Here,
we
tested
covariation
plasma
corticosterone
(CORT)
gene
(Nr3c1)
in
blood
underlies
embryonic
programming
yellow-legged
gulls
(Larus
michahellis).
We
examined
variations
levels
of
CORT
DNA
methylation
patterns
Nr3c1
response
two
ecologically
relevant
factors:
adult
alarm
calls
(a
cue
predator
presence)
changes
light
competitive
disadvantage).
then
determined
postnatal
were
associated
with
expression,
explored
direct
indirect
relationships
environment,
hormone-receptor
covariation,
phenotypes.
Prenatal
exposure
increased
up-regulated
gull
chicks,
while
cues
reduced
both
hormone
expression.
Chicks
prenatally
exposed
showed
altered
profiles
regulatory
region,
but
varied
throughout
breeding
season
years.
Moreover,
our
results
suggest
a
negative
relationship
,
at
least
specific
CpG
sites.
interplay
affected
embryo
timing
vocalizations,
as
well
hatchling
mass
fitness-relevant
behaviours.
These
findings
provide
link
inputs,
function
phenotypic
outcomes,
suggesting
may
underlie
free-living
animals.
Journal of Experimental Biology,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
227(14)
Published: July 1, 2024
ABSTRACT
Glucocorticoid
(GC)
hormones
have
traditionally
been
interpreted
as
indicators
of
stress,
but
the
extent
to
which
they
provide
information
on
physiological
state
remains
debated.
GCs
are
metabolic
that
amongst
other
functions
ensure
increasing
fuel
(i.e.
glucose)
supply
face
fluctuating
energetic
demands,
a
role
often
overlooked
by
ecological
studies
investigating
consequences
GC
variation.
Furthermore,
because
energy
budget
is
limited,
in
natural
contexts
where
multiple
stimuli
coexist,
organisms'
ability
respond
physiologically
may
be
constrained
when
triggers
responses
overlap
time.
Using
free-living
spotless
starling
(Sturnus
unicolor)
chicks,
we
experimentally
tested
whether
two
different
nature
known
trigger
or
response,
respectively,
cause
comparable
increase
plasma
and
glucose.
We
further
response
patterns
differed
both
occurred
consecutively.
found
experimental
treatments
caused
increases
glucose
similar
magnitude,
suggesting
variables
fluctuate
along
with
variation
expenditure,
independently
trigger.
Exposure
occurring
subsequently
did
not
difference
compared
exposure
single
stimulus,
limited
capacity
an
additional
stimulus
during
ongoing
acute
response.
Lastly,
positive
significant
correlation
between
after
treatments.
Our
results
add
research
expenditure
variation,
providing
evidence
association
metabolism.
Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
379(1898)
Published: Feb. 5, 2024
Hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal
axis
(HPA)
flexibility
is
an
emerging
concept
recognizing
that
individuals
will
cope
best
with
stressors
probably
be
those
using
their
hormones
in
the
most
adaptive
way.
The
HPA
considers
glucocorticoids
as
molecules
convey
information
about
environment
from
brain
to
body
so
organismal
phenotype
comes
complement
prevailing
conditions.
In
this
context,
FKBP5
protein
appears
set
extent
which
circulating
glucocorticoid
concentrations
can
vary
within
and
across
stressors.
Thus,
expression,
it
causes,
seem
represent
individual's
ability
regulate
its
orchestrate
responses
As
expression
also
easily
measured
blood,
could
a
worthy
target
of
conservation-oriented
research
attention.
We
first
review
known
likely
roles
wildlife.
then
describe
putative
genetic,
environmental
epigenetic
causes
variation
among
individuals.
Finally,
we
hypothesize
how
should
affect
fitness
hence
population
viability
response
human-induced
rapid
changes,
particularly
urbanization.
This
article
part
theme
issue
‘Endocrine
variation:
conceptual
approaches
recent
developments’.
Evolutionary Applications,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
16(10), P. 1753 - 1769
Published: Oct. 1, 2023
Offspring
phenotype
at
birth
is
determined
by
its
genotype
and
the
prenatal
environment
including
exposure
to
maternal
hormones.
Variation
in
both
glucocorticoids
thyroid
hormones
can
affect
offspring
phenotype,
but
underlying
molecular
mechanisms,
especially
those
contributing
long-lasting
effects,
remain
unclear.
Epigenetic
changes
(such
as
DNA
methylation)
have
been
postulated
mediators
of
effects
early-life
environment.
In
this
study,
we
elevated
glucocorticoid
on
handling
stress
response
(breath
rate)
well
methylation
gene
expression
receptor
(GR)
hormone
(THR)
great
tits
(Parus
major).
Eggs
were
injected
before
incubation
onset
with
corticosterone
(the
main
avian
glucocorticoid)
and/or
(thyroxine
triiodothyronine)
simulate
variation
deposition.
Breath
rate
during
GR
THR
evaluated
14
days
after
hatching.
Methylation
status
genes
was
analyzed
from
longitudinal
blood
cells
sampled
7
hatching,
following
autumn.
Elevated
level
significantly
increased
breath
handling,
indicating
an
enhanced
metabolic
response.
Prenatal
manipulation
had
CpG-site-specific
putative
promoter
region,
while
it
did
not
expression.
negatively
associated
earlier
hatching
date
chick
size.
or
exhibit
any
significant
relationship
hormonal
treatments
examined
covariates,
suggesting
that
TH
signaling
may
be
more
robust
due
crucial
role
development.
This
study
provides
some
support
hypothesis
influence
via
epigenetic
alterations,
yet
their
possible
adaptive
optimizing
prevailing
conditions,
context-dependency,
interplay
needs
further
research.
bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory),
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
unknown
Published: March 7, 2023
Offspring
phenotype
at
birth
is
determined
by
its
genotype
and
the
prenatal
environment
including
exposure
to
maternal
hormones.
Variation
in
both
glucocorticoids
thyroid
hormones
can
affect
offspring
phenotype.
However,
underlying
molecular
mechanisms
shaping
phenotype,
especially
those
contributing
long-lasting
effects,
remain
unclear.
Epigenetic
changes
(such
as
DNA
methylation)
have
been
postulated
mediators
of
effects
early-life
environment.
In
this
study,
we
elevated
glucocorticoid
on
handling
stress
response
(breath
rate),
methylation
gene
expression
receptor
(GCR)
hormone
(THR)
great
tit
(
Parus
major
).
Eggs
were
injected
before
incubation
onset
with
corticosterone
(main
avian
glucocorticoid)
and/or
(thyroxine
triiodothyronine)
simulate
variation
deposition.
Breath
rate
during
GCR
THR
evaluated
14
days
after
hatching.
Methylation
status
genes
analyzed
from
longitudinal
blood
samples
taken
7
hatching,
well
following
autumn.
Elevated
level
significantly
increased
breath
handling,
indicating
enhanced
metabolism.
Prenatal
manipulation
had
CpG-site-specific
putative
promoter
region,
while
it
did
not
expression.
was
negatively
associated
earlier
hatching
date
chick
size.
or
exhibit
any
significant
relationship
hormonal
treatments
examined
covariates,
suggesting
that
TH
signaling
may
be
more
robust
due
crucial
role
development.
This
study
supports
view
influence
metabolism
via
epigenetic
alterations,
yet
their
possible
adaptive
optimizing
prevailing
conditions,
context-dependency,
interplay
needs
further
research.