Oxidative stress in response to heat stress in wild caught Namaqua rock mice, Micaelamys namaquensis

Modelling of anthropogenic induced climate suggests more frequent and severe heatwaves in the future, which are likely to result in the mass die-off of several species of organisms. Oxidative stress induced by severe heat stress has previously been associated with a reduction in animal cognitive performance, depressed reproduction and lower life expectancy. Little is known about the non-lethal consequences of species should they survive extreme heat exposure. We investigated the oxidative stress experienced by the Namaqua rock mouse, a nocturnal rodent, using two experimental heat stress protocols, a 6 hour acute heat stress protocol without access to water and a 3-day heatwave simulation with ad libitum water. Oxidative stress was determined in the liver, kidney and brain using malondialdehyde (MDA) and protein carbonyl (PC) as markers of oxidative damage, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) as markers of antioxidant defence. Incubator heat stress (heat and dehydration stress) was brought about by increasing the body temperatures of animals to 39-40.8 degrees C for 6 hours. Following incubator heat stress, significantly higher levels of MDA were observed in the liver. Dehydration did not explain the variation in oxidative markers and is likely a combined effect of thermal and dehydration stress. Individual body mass was significantly negatively correlated to kidney SOD and lipid peroxidation. A heatwave was simulated using a temperature cycle that would naturally occur during a heatwave in the species' local habitat, with a maximal ambient temperature of 38 degrees C. Following the simulated heatwave, SOD activity of the kidney demonstrated significantly lowered activity suggesting oxidative stress. Current heat waves in this species have the potential of causing oxidative stress. Heat and dehydration stress following exacerbated temperatures are likely to incur significant oxidative stress in multiple tissues demonstrating the importance of water availability to allow for rehydration to prevent oxidative stress.

Automated summary

Modeling of anthropogenic induced climate change predicts more frequent and severe heatwaves in the future, leading to potential mass die-off of various organisms. Studies on Namaqua rock mice show that oxidative stress induced by severe heat stress can have negative effects on animal health, while the availability of water plays a crucial role in preventing oxidative stress.