Periodic Reporting for period 1 - NEURONESt (Nest building in birds: cognitive, neural and molecular basis of an overlooked behaviour)
Okres sprawozdawczy: 2021-09-13 do 2023-09-12
The overarching aim of the NEURONESt project was to complete the first interdisciplinary synthesis of the cognitive, hormonal, and neurobiological mechanisms underlying nest building by birds. Using the zebra finch Taeniopygia guttata as a model species, we aimed at combining methodologies from different fields to test current and important hypotheses that have not been empirically tested yet and that could shed light on some of the mechanisms underlying this behaviour, key for avian reproduction but almost entirely overlooked.
To date, whether innovation/problem-solving abilities are supported by ‘high’ cognitive capacities or rather can be best explained by a combination of reduced neophobia, perseverance and wider motor diversity is still the subject of an intense debate. In Objective 1, we specifically aimed at investigating whether birds could diversify their motoric repertoire through the building of a nest, a behaviour well known to involve a wide variety of motoric actions, and whether this could (i) influence their problem-solving abilities and (ii) relate to specific pattern of activation of the cerebellum. Altogether, these data are important because they could shed light on the mechanisms supporting innovation in birds and other species, including ours.
As nest building by birds occurs between the courtship and egg-laying periods, when androgens and oestrogens are still likely to be high in the circulation, it had been suggested that these sex steroid hormones might support building. Evidence to verify this causal relationship is still scant. In Objective 2, we aimed to identify the role(s) played by sex steroids during nest building, in a species in which the male is the primary builder, as well as to identify the mechanisms of sex-steroid action in the brain. Such work is timelier than ever because birds are constantly exposed to the environmental changes of the Anthropocene. These include a growing quantity of chemical pollutants that potentially act as endocrine disruptors. By providing a better understanding of the (neuro)endocrine mechanisms that underpin avian breeding, and specifically nest building, the results generated by Objectives 2A&B might help to predict how environmental pollutants might disrupt a behaviour fundamental to species survival.
While results from the work addressed in Objective 1 are still being analysed, our data show that circulating androgens in males are needed to support this important behaviour throughout the nest-construction period data (Objective 2), and thus the importance of sex steroids in the support of male nest building. We are now investigating the associated mechanisms of action in the brain of these steroids in relation to nest building.
To date, whether innovation/problem-solving abilities are supported by ‘high’ cognitive capacities or rather can be best explained by a combination of reduced neophobia, perseverance and wider motor diversity is still the subject of an intense debate. In Objective 1, we specifically aimed at investigating whether birds could diversify their motoric repertoire through the building of a nest, a behaviour well known to involve a wide variety of motoric actions, and whether this could (i) influence their problem-solving abilities and (ii) relate to specific pattern of activation of the cerebellum. Altogether, these data are important because they could shed light on the mechanisms supporting innovation in birds and other species, including ours.
As nest building by birds occurs between the courtship and egg-laying periods, when androgens and oestrogens are still likely to be high in the circulation, it had been suggested that these sex steroid hormones might support building. Evidence to verify this causal relationship is still scant. In Objective 2, we aimed to identify the role(s) played by sex steroids during nest building, in a species in which the male is the primary builder, as well as to identify the mechanisms of sex-steroid action in the brain. Such work is timelier than ever because birds are constantly exposed to the environmental changes of the Anthropocene. These include a growing quantity of chemical pollutants that potentially act as endocrine disruptors. By providing a better understanding of the (neuro)endocrine mechanisms that underpin avian breeding, and specifically nest building, the results generated by Objectives 2A&B might help to predict how environmental pollutants might disrupt a behaviour fundamental to species survival.
While results from the work addressed in Objective 1 are still being analysed, our data show that circulating androgens in males are needed to support this important behaviour throughout the nest-construction period data (Objective 2), and thus the importance of sex steroids in the support of male nest building. We are now investigating the associated mechanisms of action in the brain of these steroids in relation to nest building.
Objective 1: We successfully developed/adapted two behavioural tasks to test problem solving in small passerines. We then used these tasks to test problem-solving abilities of birds that differ in their experience with nest building, a behaviour that involves a variety of motoric actions. We are still analysing the extensive video recordings collected during these experiments, and we are taking multiple opportunities to discuss these data with colleagues during regular internal seminars. Once the analyses are complete, we will be present the data at various national and international conferences. Because in a pilot study we found large inter-individual differences in terms of initial neophobia and latency to solve problems, the value of collecting brains seemed very low. So we decided to prioritize the work planned for Objective 2.
Objective 2: We characterised sex-steroid dynamics during early breeding in paired zebra finches, especially focussing on the nest-building period. We found that the androgen testosterone (the main sex steroid produced by the testes in males) is needed to support nest building throughout the nest-building period in male builders. These data have been analysed and written up in a manuscript for submission to an open-access peer-reviewed academic journal for publication. Once published, it will then be publicised through both the MCSA Fellow’s and Host’s research websites, social media accounts (e.g. X) as well as through the University of St Andrews Press Office. The results have already begun to be shared with the scientific community through presentations at international conferences in the UK, France and Germany, as well as locally at internal seminars.
Objective 2: We characterised sex-steroid dynamics during early breeding in paired zebra finches, especially focussing on the nest-building period. We found that the androgen testosterone (the main sex steroid produced by the testes in males) is needed to support nest building throughout the nest-building period in male builders. These data have been analysed and written up in a manuscript for submission to an open-access peer-reviewed academic journal for publication. Once published, it will then be publicised through both the MCSA Fellow’s and Host’s research websites, social media accounts (e.g. X) as well as through the University of St Andrews Press Office. The results have already begun to be shared with the scientific community through presentations at international conferences in the UK, France and Germany, as well as locally at internal seminars.
The NEURONESt project has also allowed us to establish a new collaboration to validate a method for detection of multiple steroids in very small zebra finch plasma samples, and we are currently validating this method for brain samples. This new methodology will enable much more accurate detection of plasma and brain steroids, allowing for smaller amounts of tissue to be required for analysis. This technical refinement may allow us, and others working on steroids to reduce the number of samples taken from live animals, or even to reduce the number of animals used. We think it likely that we will be able to publish the methodology in at least one more major publication.
The NEURONESt project has given the Fellow the opportunity to i) substantially develop her scientific network, particularly within the international behavioural neuroendocrinology community, through her attendance at several national and international meetings and ii) interact and exchange ideas with a wide variety of local (both at the University of St Andrews and the University of Edinburgh) and international researchers. Furthermore, the results collected during Objective 2 have been used as the building stone for i) a successful BBSRC grant application (involving all the partners in NEURONESt), and ii) for several fellowship applications by the MCSA fellow (under consideration by the funding bodies). As such, the project has allowed the MCSA fellow to develop new scientific and transferable skills, to both develop and consolidate her network and to establish herself as an accomplished contributor to the field of behavioural neuroendocrinology. As a result, she is now well on the way to establishing her own research group, and independently investigating innovative research questions related to avian behavioural neuroendocrinology.
During the lifetime of the project, the MCSA and her Host have published one review of the literature together and prepared the first of several research papers. At least two more empirical and another review papers are expected within the next 6-12 months, direct related outputs from the NEURONESt project.
While this work was primarily comprised of fundamental research, the results add to the knowledge database that may in the longer term i) allow a better understanding of the evolution of cognitive abilities within the animal kingdom, and shed light on our own innovation abilities, and ii) allow a better understanding of the impacts that environmental pollutants that interfere with the (neuro)endocrine system might have on key reproductive behaviours. These data may then help to inform and influence policy makers in the UK, EU, and worldwide.
The NEURONESt project has given the Fellow the opportunity to i) substantially develop her scientific network, particularly within the international behavioural neuroendocrinology community, through her attendance at several national and international meetings and ii) interact and exchange ideas with a wide variety of local (both at the University of St Andrews and the University of Edinburgh) and international researchers. Furthermore, the results collected during Objective 2 have been used as the building stone for i) a successful BBSRC grant application (involving all the partners in NEURONESt), and ii) for several fellowship applications by the MCSA fellow (under consideration by the funding bodies). As such, the project has allowed the MCSA fellow to develop new scientific and transferable skills, to both develop and consolidate her network and to establish herself as an accomplished contributor to the field of behavioural neuroendocrinology. As a result, she is now well on the way to establishing her own research group, and independently investigating innovative research questions related to avian behavioural neuroendocrinology.
During the lifetime of the project, the MCSA and her Host have published one review of the literature together and prepared the first of several research papers. At least two more empirical and another review papers are expected within the next 6-12 months, direct related outputs from the NEURONESt project.
While this work was primarily comprised of fundamental research, the results add to the knowledge database that may in the longer term i) allow a better understanding of the evolution of cognitive abilities within the animal kingdom, and shed light on our own innovation abilities, and ii) allow a better understanding of the impacts that environmental pollutants that interfere with the (neuro)endocrine system might have on key reproductive behaviours. These data may then help to inform and influence policy makers in the UK, EU, and worldwide.