Tools
ToolsSalmón, Pablo, Hernandez-Gonzalez, Miguel, Boner, Winnie, Ivimey-Cook, Edward R. and Monaghan, Pat (2026) Within-individual changes in mitochondrial DNA copy number across the life course and links to individual performance. Biology Letters, 22 (4). ISSN 1744-9561
Preview |
PDF (rsbl.2025.0521)
- Published Version
Available under License Creative Commons Attribution. Download (5MB) | Preview |
Abstract
Ageing is characterized by complex biological processes reflected in cellular and molecular changes. Mitochondria, which are crucial for energy production and cellular homeostasis, are particularly vulnerable to age-related deterioration. The number of copies of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNAcn) varies across and within tissues in response to energetic activity and mtDNA integrity, and is related to health and physical performance. Age-related changes in mtDNAcn can be difficult to study due to differential survival of phenotypes into older ages, but studies of changes in mtDNAcn within individuals are very limited. In this study, we investigated changes in red blood cell mtDNAcn across the life course within individual zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata), a well-established avian model, from the nestling stage into old age. Our findings revealed a pronounced decline in relative mtDNAcn during post-natal development, followed by comparative stability throughout adulthood. This pattern was remarkably consistent among individuals. We found no significant relationship between variation in mtDNAcn and growth during the nestling period. However, based on measurements of disturbed take-off speed in late adulthood, we found that individuals with higher physical performance at that stage had higher relative mtDNAcn, suggesting a link between variation in individual bioenergetics and biological state.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Additional Information: | Data accessibility: All data and code required to reproduce the analyses in this study are publicly available from Zenodo |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | ageing,birds,flight performance,life history,mitochondria,within-individual,agricultural and biological sciences (miscellaneous),general agricultural and biological sciences ,/dk/atira/pure/subjectarea/asjc/1100/1101 |
| Faculty \ School: | Faculty of Science > School of Biological Sciences |
| Related URLs: | |
| Depositing User: | LivePure Connector |
| Date Deposited: | 13 May 2026 13:23 |
| Last Modified: | 14 May 2026 15:15 |
| URI: | https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/102996 |
| DOI: | 10.1098/rsbl.2025.0521 |
Downloads
Downloads per month over past year
Actions (login required)
 |
View Item |