Mitochondrial function is enhanced by thyroid hormones during zebra finch development

An organism’s response to its environment is largely determined by changes in the energy supplied by aerobic mitochondrial metabolism via adenosine-tri-phosphate (ATP) production. ATP is especially important under energy-demanding conditions, such as during rapid growth. It is currently poorly understood how environmental factors influence energy metabolism and mitochondrial functioning, but recent studies suggest a role of thyroid hormones (TH). TH are key regulators of growth and metabolism, and can be flexibly adjusted to environmental conditions, such as environmental temperature or food availability. To test whether TH enhancement is causally linked to mitochondrial function and growth, we provided TH orally at physiological concentrations during the main growth phase in zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata) nestlings reared in a challenging environment. TH-treatment accelerated maximal mitochondrial working capacity – a trait that reflects mitochondrial ATP production, without affecting growth. To our knowledge, this is the first study to characterize the regulation of mitochondria by TH during development in a semi-naturalistic context and to address implications for fitness related traits, such as growth.