scholarly journals Artificial Light at Night Increases Recruitment of New Neurons and Differentially Affects Various Brain Regions in Female Zebra Finches

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (17) ◽  
pp. 6140
Author(s):  
Stan Moaraf ◽  
Rachel Heiblum ◽  
Yulia Vistoropsky ◽  
Monika Okuliarová ◽  
Michal Zeman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neuronal Death ◽  
Brain Plasticity ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
Artificial Light ◽  
Zebra Finches ◽  
Light At Night ◽  
Compensatory Response ◽  
Neuronal Recruitment ◽  
Newborn Neurons

Despite growing evidence that demonstrate adverse effects of artificial light at night (ALAN) on many species, relatively little is known regarding its effects on brain plasticity in birds. We recently showed that although ALAN increases cell proliferation in brains of birds, neuronal densities in two brain regions decreased, indicating neuronal death, which might be due to mortality of newly produced neurons or of existing ones. Therefore, in the present study we studied the effect of long-term ALAN on the recruitment of newborn neurons into their target regions in the brain. Accordingly, we exposed zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata) to 5 lux ALAN, and analysed new neuronal recruitment and total neuronal densities in several brain regions. We found that ALAN increased neuronal recruitment, possibly as a compensatory response to ALAN-induced neuronal death, and/or due to increased nocturnal locomotor activity caused by sleep disruption. Moreover, ALAN also had a differential temporal effect on neuronal densities, because hippocampus was more sensitive to ALAN and its neuronal densities were more affected than in other brain regions. Nocturnal melatonin levels under ALAN were significantly lower compared to controls, indicating that very low ALAN intensities suppress melatonin not only in nocturnal, but also in diurnal species.

scholarly journals Evidence That Artificial Light at Night Induces Structure-Specific Changes in Brain Plasticity in a Diurnal Bird

Biomolecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 1069
Author(s):  
Stan Moaraf ◽  
Rachel Heiblum ◽  
Monika Okuliarová ◽  
Abraham Hefetz ◽  
Inon Scharf ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Proliferation ◽  
Brain Plasticity ◽  
Ventricular Zone ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
Artificial Light ◽  
Zebra Finches ◽  
Light At Night ◽  
Neuronal Recruitment ◽  
Male Specific ◽  
Area X

We recently reported that artificial light at night (ALAN), at ecologically relevant intensities (1.5, 5 lux), increases cell proliferation in the ventricular zone and recruitment of new neurons in several forebrain regions of female zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata), along with a decrease of total neuronal densities in some of these regions (indicating possible neuronal death). In the present study, we exposed male zebra finches to the same ALAN intensities, treated them with 5′-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine, quantified cell proliferation and neuronal recruitment in several forebrain regions, and compared them to controls that were kept under dark nights. ALAN increased cell proliferation in the ventricular zone, similar to our previous findings in females. We also found, for the first time, that ALAN increased new neuronal recruitment in HVC and Area X, which are part of the song system in the brain and are male-specific. In other brain regions, such as the medial striatum, nidopallium caudale, and hippocampus, we recorded an increased neuronal recruitment only in the medial striatum (unlike our previous findings in females), and relative to the controls this increase was less prominent than in females. Moreover, the effect of ALAN duration on total neuronal densities in the studied regions varied between the sexes, supporting the suggestion that males are more resilient to ALAN than females. Suppression of nocturnal melatonin levels after ALAN exhibited a light intensity-dependent decrease in males in contrast to females, another indication that males might be less affected by ALAN. Taken together, our study emphasizes the importance of studying both sexes when considering ALAN effects on brain plasticity.

scholarly journals The Cell Birth Marker BrdU Does Not Affect Recruitment of Subsequent Cell Divisions in the Adult Avian Brain

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anat Cattan ◽  
Amir Ayali ◽  
Anat Barnea
Keyword(s):  
Taeniopygia Guttata ◽  
Zebra Finches ◽  
Avian Brain ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Neuronal Nucleus ◽  
Cell Divisions ◽  
Neuronal Recruitment ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Silver Grains

BrdU is commonly used to quantify neurogenesis but also causes mutation and has mitogenic, transcriptional, and translational effects. In mammalian studies, attention had been given to its dosage, but in birds such examination was not conducted. Our previous study suggested that BrdU might affect subsequent cell divisions and neuronal recruitment in the brain. Furthermore, this effect seemed to increase with time from treatment. Accordingly, we examined whether BrdU might alter neurogenesis in the adult avian brain. We compared recruitment of [3H]-thymidine+neurons in brains of zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata) when no BrdU was involved and when BrdU was given 1 or 3 months prior to [3H]-thymidine. In nidopallium caudale, HVC, and hippocampus, no differences were found between groups in densities and percentages of [3H]-thymidine+neurons. The number of silver grains per [3H]-thymidine+neuronal nucleus and their distribution were similar across groups. Additionally, time did not affect the results. The results indicate that the commonly used dosage of BrdU in birds has no long-term effects on subsequent cell divisions and neuronal recruitment. This conclusion is also important in neuronal replacement experiments, where BrdU and another cell birth marker are given, with relatively long intervals between them.

Artificial light at night affects brain plasticity and melatonin in birds

2020 ◽  
Vol 716 ◽  
pp. 134639 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stan Moaraf ◽  
Yulia Vistoropsky ◽  
Tatyana Pozner ◽  
Rachel Heiblum ◽  
Monika Okuliarová ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Brain Plasticity ◽  
Artificial Light ◽  
Light At Night

Satellite measurements of artificial light at night: aerosol effects

2020 ◽  
Vol 499 (4) ◽  
pp. 5075-5089
Author(s):  
S Cavazzani ◽  
S Ortolani ◽  
A Bertolo ◽  
R Binotto ◽  
P Fiorentin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cloud Cover ◽  
Temporal Evolution ◽  
Aerosol Concentration ◽  
Light Pollution ◽  
Artificial Light ◽  
Satellite Measurements ◽  
Light At Night ◽  
Lunar Cycles ◽  
Aerosol Effects

ABSTRACT The study of artificial light at night (ALAN) by satellite is very important for the analysis of new astronomical sites and for the long-term temporal evolution observation of the emission from the ground. The analysis of satellite data presents many advantages but also some critical points because of fluctuations in measurements. The main result of this paper is the discovery of a correlation between these fluctuations and the aerosol concentration combined with cloud cover and lunar cycles. In this work, we also present a mathematical empirical model for the light pollution propagation study in relation to the aerosol concentration detected by satellite. We apply this model to the astronomical site of Asiago (Ekar Observatory) providing a possible explanation for the temporal ALAN fluctuations detected by satellite. Finally, we validate the results with the ground collected data.

scholarly journals Assessing long‐term effects of artificial light at night on insects: what is missing and how to get there

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 260-270
Author(s):  
Gregor Kalinkat ◽  
Maja Grubisic ◽  
Andreas Jechow ◽  
Roy H. A. Grunsven ◽  
Sibylle Schroer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Artificial Light ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Light At Night

scholarly journals Neuronal integration in the adult olfactory bulb is a non-selective addition process

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean-Claude Platel ◽  
Alexandra Angelova ◽  
Stephane Bugeon ◽  
Thibault Ganay ◽  
Ilona Chudotvorova ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Olfactory Bulb ◽  
Adult Neurogenesis ◽  
Neuronal Death ◽  
Critical Period ◽  
Cell Loss ◽  
Low Doses ◽  
Newborn Neurons ◽  
Selective Addition

AbstractAdult neurogenesis is considered a competition in which neurons scramble during a critical period for integration and survival. Moreover, newborn neurons are thought to replace preexisting ones that die. Despite a wealth of evidence supporting this model, systematic in vivo observations of the process are still scarce. We used 2-photon imaging to study neuronal integration and survival directly in the olfactory bulb (OB) of living mice. Long-term tracking of over 1400 neurons demonstrated that cell-loss in the OB is virtually absent. Neuronal death resembling a critical period was induced by standard doses of BrdU or EdU, but disappeared when low doses of EdU were used, demonstrating toxicity. Finally, we demonstrate that the OB grows throughout life. This shows that neuronal selection during OB-neurogenesis does not occur during integration and argues against the existence of a critical period. Moreover, the OB is not a “turnover” system but shows lifelong neuronal addition.

scholarly journals Microbial diversity and community respiration in freshwater sediments influenced by artificial light at night

2015 ◽  
Vol 370 (1667) ◽  
pp. 20140130 ◽  
Author(s):  
Franz Hölker ◽  
Christian Wurzbacher ◽  
Carsten Weißenborn ◽  
Michael T. Monaghan ◽  
Stephanie I. J. Holzhauer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Microbial Communities ◽  
Carbon Mineralization ◽  
Drainage System ◽  
Community Respiration ◽  
Artificial Light ◽  
Light At Night ◽  
Dna Metabarcoding ◽  
Ecosystem Level ◽  
Global Carbon

An increasing proportion of the Earth's surface is illuminated at night. In aquatic ecosystems, artificial light at night (ALAN) may influence microbial communities living in the sediments. These communities are highly diverse and play an important role in the global carbon cycle. We combined field and laboratory experiments using sediments from an agricultural drainage system to examine how ALAN affects communities and alters carbon mineralization. Two identical light infrastructures were installed parallel to a drainage ditch before the start of the experiment. DNA metabarcoding indicated that both sediment communities were similar. After one was lit for five months (July–December 2012) we observed an increase in photoautotroph abundance (diatoms, Cyanobacteria ) in ALAN-exposed sediments. In laboratory incubations mimicking summer and winter (six weeks each), communities in sediments that were exposed to ALAN for 1 year (July 2012–June 2013) showed less overall seasonal change compared with ALAN-naive sediments. Nocturnal community respiration was reduced in ALAN-exposed sediments. In long-term exposed summer-sediments, we observed a shift from negative to positive net ecosystem production. Our results indicate ALAN may alter sediment microbial communities over time, with implications for ecosystem-level functions. It may thus have the potential to transform inland waters to nocturnal carbon sinks.

scholarly journals Long-term exposure to artificial light at night in the wild decreases survival and growth of a coral reef fish

2021 ◽  
Vol 288 (1952) ◽  
pp. 20210454
Author(s):  
Jules Schligler ◽  
Daphne Cortese ◽  
Ricardo Beldade ◽  
Stephen E. Swearer ◽  
Suzanne C. Mills
Keyword(s):  
Coral Reef ◽  
French Polynesia ◽  
Artificial Light ◽  
Light At Night ◽  
Artificial Lighting ◽  
Realistic Situation ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Survival And Growth ◽  
Anthropogenic Pollutant

Artificial light at night (ALAN) is an increasing anthropogenic pollutant, closely associated with human population density, and now well recognized in both terrestrial and aquatic environments. However, we have a relatively poor understanding of the effects of ALAN in the marine realm. Here, we carried out a field experiment in the coral reef lagoon of Moorea, French Polynesia, to investigate the effects of long-term exposure (18–23 months) to chronic light pollution at night on the survival and growth of wild juvenile orange-fin anemonefish, Amphiprion chrysopterus . Long-term exposure to environmentally relevant underwater illuminance (mean: 4.3 lux), reduced survival (mean: 36%) and growth (mean: 44%) of juvenile anemonefish compared to that of juveniles exposed to natural moonlight underwater (mean: 0.03 lux). Our study carried out in an ecologically realistic situation in which the direct effects of artificial lighting on juvenile anemonefish are combined with the indirect consequences of artificial lighting on other species, such as their competitors, predators, and prey, revealed the negative impacts of ALAN on life-history traits. Not only are there immediate impacts of ALAN on mortality, but the decreased growth of surviving individuals may also have considerable fitness consequences later in life. Future studies examining the mechanisms behind these findings are vital to understand how organisms can cope and survive in nature under this globally increasing pollutant.

The physical environment

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philip James
Keyword(s):  
Physical Environment ◽  
Urban Climate ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
Artificial Light ◽  
Noise Levels ◽  
Light At Night ◽  
High Noise ◽  
P Elements ◽  
Micro Organisms ◽  
Diversity Of Life

Elements of the physical aspects of urban environments determine which micro-organisms, plants, and animals live in urban environments. In this chapter, climate, air, water, soil, noise, and light are discussed. Urban environments are affected by the climate of the region in which they are located, and in turn and create their own, distinctive urban climate. Air, water, and soil are all affected by urbanization. Pollution of these elements is common. High noise levels and artificial light at night (ALAN—a new phenomenon) are both strongly associated with urban environments. Details of both are discussed. The discussion in this chapter provides a foundation for further exploration of the diversity of life in urban environments and for later exploration of how organisms adapt to urban living, which will be discussed in Parts II and III.

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