concept

Potential Reproductive Potential

Also known as: PRP

Facts (13)

Sources

Allostasis revisited: A perception, variation, and risk framework frontiersin.org Frontiers Sep 28, 2022 13 facts

referenceWhen an animal relies on cues indicating a threat to Potential Reproductive Potential (PRP) and responds with anticipatory elevation in glucocorticoid levels, it can lead to Emergency Life History Stage (ELHS) activation and/or homeostatic overload as described in the Reactive Scope model.

claimThe distinction between Type I and Type II allostatic overload is that Type I involves responding directly to physiological starvation (actual Potential Reproductive Potential = 0), whereas Type II involves responding to an alternative predictor of impending negative energy balance that may or may not accurately reflect low Potential Reproductive Potential.

claimAllostatic overload Type I, glucocorticoid excess, and ELHS activation occur when an animal's integrated perception yields a perceived PRP less than or equal to 0.

perspectiveInterpreting non-responsiveness to restraint-stress as generalized suppression should be secondary to other interpretations and supported by evidence of non-response to other predictable cues of low potential reproductive potential (PRP).

claimGlucocorticoid suppression during Phase II starvation suggests a non-linear increase in glucocorticoids, which may be consistent with a strategy where glucocorticoids increase exponentially near the point where the potential reproductive period (PRP) is less than or equal to zero and the Emergency Life History Stage (ELHS) activation threshold is surpassed.

formulaPRP = Ecr - Eload

claimStrategy 2 for endocrine response involves an animal maintaining glucocorticoid levels near a seasonal baseline until PRP is critically low, at which point only a negative energy balance results in a rise in glucocorticoid levels that trigger the ELHS.

perspectiveThe authors propose that a conceptual framework for physiological stability should allow aberrant data to be integrated into a broader evaluation of risk, incorporating situational, experiential, and evolutionarily relevant indicators of declining Potential Reproductive Potential (PRP).

claimAllostatic overload Type 1 occurs when an animal is in a state of negative energy balance, which is considered an undisputed signal of a threat to Potential Reproductive Potential (PRP).

claimThe PRP describes the gap between allostatic load and resource availability, and is proposed to correlate with glucocorticoid levels rather than allostatic load itself.

claimReactive homeostasis functions as an endocrine analog to the energetic PRP (Potential Reproductive Potential) under routine conditions, representing the difference between the maximum tolerated levels and seasonally normal levels.

claimLow resource density is generally a reliable indicator of critically low Potential Reproductive Potential (PRP), except for animals that hibernate, aestivate, or routinely fast through periods of scarcity.

claimThe reliability of specific environmental cues as indicators of Potential Reproductive Potential (PRP) varies, and these cues can either provide accurate information or lead to decision errors in animals.