Impact Of Experimentally Elevated Energy Expenditure On Oxidative Stress And Lifespan In The Short-tailed Field Vole Microtus Agrestis

Life-history theory suggests that limited resources exist in the wild and animals trade-off competing demands for these resources. For example, investing in reproduction may result in a cost to lifespan. Increased metabolic rate (work) may incur a survival cost by producing damaging free radicals. We increased metabolic rate in voles via life-long cold exposure and measured longevity, free radical damage and antioxidant protection.

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