Impact Of Experimentally Elevated Energy Expenditure On Oxidative Stress And Lifespan In The Short-tailed Field Vole Microtus Agrestis

Main Category: Biology / Biochemistry
Also Included In: Veterinary
Article Date: 13 May 2008 - 1:00 PDT

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Life-history theory suggests that limited resources exist in the wild and animals trade-off competing demands for these resources.

For example, investing in reproduction may result in a cost to lifespan. Increased metabolic rate (work) may incur a survival cost by producing damaging free radicals.

We increased metabolic rate in voles via life-long cold exposure and measured longevity, free radical damage and antioxidant protection.

Increased metabolism had no effect on lifespan, damage or antioxidant protection, so does not appear to incur a physiological-mediated cost in these animals.

Similar studies are now required in wild populations where limited resources (food) exist.

Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences

Proceedings B is the Royal Society's flagship biological research journal, dedicated to the rapid publication and broad dissemination of high-quality research papers, reviews and comment and reply papers. The scope of journal is diverse and is especially strong in organismal biology.

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