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Urban environment alter the timing of progression of testicular recrudescence in tree sparrow (Passer montanus)

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Abstract

Urbanization is a rapidly growing phenomenon that affects wildlife. Laboratory studies show the effects of night light on the physiology of the organisms. Limited studies have been conducted on birds in their natural habitat. Here, we studied the effects of the urban environment on reproduction-linked phenomenon and molecules involved in the regulation of seasonal breeding. Birds (N=5/time/site) were procured from urban and rural sites at specific times, i.e., in March (stimulatory phase), June (reproductive phase), September (refractory phase), and December (sensitive phase) of 2018. Immediately after procurement, birds were brought to the laboratory. Bodyweight, bill color, molt in body feathers, and testes size were recorded. The next day, all the birds were sacrificed in the middle of the day. Blood was collected and serum was used for ELISA of corticosterone, triiodothyronine (T3), and thyroxine (T4). mRNA levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone-β (Tshβ), type 2 deiodinase (Dio2), type 3 deiodinase (Dio3), gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRh), and gonadotropin inhibitory hormone (GnIh) were measured in hypothalamic tissue. Urban birds showed higher levels of corticosterone during the stimulatory phase. There was a delay in the initiation of testicular growth in urban birds and it was supported by reduced levels of T3 in blood plasma and relatively lower transcription of Dio2 and GnRH mRNA in urban birds. Our findings suggest that the urban environment delays the timing of reproduction in birds and could be the consequence of local environmental conditions.

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This study was supported by the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), New Delhi, under ECR program (ECR/2016/000626). Funding from the Department of Science and Technology under the DST-FIST program to the Department of Zoology, Mizoram University, is greatly acknowledged.

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  1. Department of Zoology, Mizoram University, Aizawl, Mizoram, 976004, India

    Zothanmawii Renthlei, Bijoy Krishna Borah & Amit Kumar Trivedi

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AKT conceived idea and designed the study. ZR and BKB carried out the experiments and data analysis. ZR and AKT wrote the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Amit Kumar Trivedi.

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Renthlei, Z., Borah, B.K. & Trivedi, A.K. Urban environment alter the timing of progression of testicular recrudescence in tree sparrow (Passer montanus). Environ Sci Pollut Res 28, 31097–31107 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-021-12918-6

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