Predictors of telomere content in dragon lizards

Abstract:
Telomeres shorten as a consequence of DNA

replication, in particular in cells with low production of

telomerase and perhaps in response to physiological stress

from exposure to reactive oxygen species, such as superoxide.

This process of telomere attrition is countered by innate

antioxidation, such as via the production of superoxide

dismutase. We studied the inheritance of telomere length

in the Australian painted dragon lizard (Ctenophorus pictus)

and the extent to which telomere length covaries with masscorrected

maternal reproductive investment, which reflects

the level of circulating yolk precursor and antioxidant,

vitellogenin. Our predictors of offspring telomere length

explained 72 % of telomere variation (including interstitial

telomeres if such are present). Maternal telomere length and

reproductive investment were positively influencing offspring

telomere length in our analyses, whereas flow

cytometry-estimated superoxide level was negatively

impacting offspring telomere length. We suggest that the

effects of superoxide on hatchling telomere shortening may

be partly balanced by transgenerational effects of vitellogenin

antioxidation.