Conventional physiological research focuses on investigating the endogenous mechanisms underlying species' adaptations to life in extreme habitats such as polar regions or deserts. In their current study, the researchers argue that nowadays even habitats that are not considered extreme are exposed to unpredictable, rapid and strong (climate) changes due to human activities (and also independently of them) – which confronts all animals and thus also humans with new types of extreme conditions.
Diverse environmental influences put the bio-exposome under pressure
According to the scientists, physiological research on affected animals can shed light on the effect of their physiological plasticity on their resilience and adaptability. To this end, the research team from Austria, Belgium and Italy examined previously published research. “We were particularly interested in stress physiology with a focus on oxidative stress and associated hormonal stress responses. These reactions caused by stressors from the environment play a central role in the interaction between the exposome, i.e. the measure of all environmental influences to which an individual is exposed in the course of its life, and the bio-exposome, i.e. cellular processes in connection with relevant extreme anthropogenic changes in habitat conditions,” reports Valeria Marasco from the Institute of Wildlife Ecology (FIWI) at Vetmeduni.
Seven main factors for oxidative stress and its negative effect on the bio-exposome
The researchers believe that the responsible influencing factors are increasingly strong and simultaneously accelerating changes in the seven areas of heat waves, water shortage, light pollution, noise, land use, chemical pollution and reduced food quality. To counteract the resulting oxidative stress caused by environmental pollution and increased glucocorticoid hormones, enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants are boosted, which in turn affects phenotypic plasticity, physiological changes and adaptability. However, as recent research has shown, this can lead to an increased concentration of dangerous reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the organism, which can have harmful consequences and lead to the decline of populations and species through reduced Darwinian fitness, increased morbidity and ultimately death.
Holistic One Health understanding needed: global changes affect humans and animals
According to the researchers, research into the relationship between oxidative stress and the bio-exposome can also be relevant for the health of the population, because “humans are also an animal species”, emphasizes Marasco. The scientists therefore suggest integrating the bio-exposome and the One Health framework into future research work. Valeria Marasco explains: “This would enable a holistic, integrative understanding of the mechanisms underlying individual responses to extreme changes on Earth.”
The article „Life at new extremes: Integrating stress physiology and the bio-exposome in the Anthropocene“ by David Costantini, Simone Messina, Manrico Sebastiano and Valeria Marasco was published in „Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences“.
Scientific contact:
Ass.-Prof. Valeria Marasco PhD
Forschungsinstitut für Wildtierkunde und Ökologie (FIWI)
Veterinärmedizinische Universität Wien (Vetmeduni)
Valeria.Marasco@vetmeduni.ac.at