Glucocorticoid hormones, such as corticosterone, are crucial in regulating daily life
metabolism and energy expenditure, as well as promoting short-term physiological and …

Maternal effects affect offspring phenotype and fitness. However, the roles of offspring sex-
specific sensitivity to maternal glucocorticoids and sex-biased maternal investment remain …

Yolk hormones are substances which transmit non-genetic factors from the mother to the
next generation. The systematic changes of yolk hormone concentrations within …

Outdoor recreational activities are booming and most animals perceive humans as
predators, which triggers behavioural and/or physiological reactions [eg heart rate increase …

In birds and other vertebrates, there is good evidence that females adjust the allocation of
hormones in their eggs in response to prenatal environmental conditions, such as food …

Maternal corticosterone in avian egg yolks may signal and prepare offspring for the
prevailing conditions. However, this adjustment requires flexible mechanisms of regulation …

In this thesis I explore the topic of maternal effects, and namely the effects of maternal stress
on various aspects of offspring phenotype. More specifically, I examine how chronically …

Most passerine species begin incubating their clutches once the penultimate egg is laid,
allowing for asynchronous hatching of nestlings. This results in delayed development by 24 …