1
|
Dick MF, Hobson KA, Guglielmo CG. Experimental evidence that EPA and DHA are dietary requirements in a migratory shorebird, but they do not affect muscle oxidative capacity. J Exp Biol 2024; 227:jeb246105. [PMID: 38300135 PMCID: PMC10911131 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.246105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/02/2024]
Abstract
Dietary n-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs) are hypothesized to be natural doping agents in migratory shorebirds, enabling prolonged flight by increasing membrane fluidity and oxidative capacity of the flight muscles. Animals can obtain n-3 LCPUFAs from the diet or by conversion of dietary α-linolenic acid, 18:3 n-3. However, the capacity to meet n-3 LCPUFA requirements from 18:3 n-3 varies among species. Direct tests of muscle oxidative enhancement and fatty acid conversion capacity are lacking in marine shorebirds that evolved eating diets rich in n-3 LCPUFAs. We tested whether the presence and type of dietary fatty acids influence the fatty acid composition and flight muscle oxidative capacity in western sandpipers (Calidris mauri). Sandpipers were fed diets low in n-3 PUFAs, high in 18:3 n-3, or high in n-3 LCPUFAs. Dietary fatty acid composition was reflected in multiple tissues, and low intake of n-3 LCPUFAs decreased the abundance of these fatty acids in all tissues, even with a high intake of 18:3 n-3. This suggests that 18:3 n-3 cannot replace n-3 LCPUFAs, and dietary n-3 LCPUFAs are required for sandpipers. Flight muscle indicators of enzymatic oxidative capacity and regulators of lipid metabolism did not change. However, the n-3 LCPUFA diet was associated with increased FAT/CD36 mRNA expression, potentially benefitting fatty acid transport during flight. Our study suggests that flight muscle lipid oxidation is not strongly influenced by n-3 PUFA intake. The type of dietary n-3 PUFA strongly influences the abundance of n-3 LCPUFAs in the body and could still impact whole-animal performance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Morag F. Dick
- Department of Biology, Centre for Animals on the Move, Advanced Facility for Avian Research, Western University, London, ON, Canada, N6A 5B7
| | - Keith A. Hobson
- Department of Biology, Centre for Animals on the Move, Advanced Facility for Avian Research, Western University, London, ON, Canada, N6A 5B7
| | - Christopher G. Guglielmo
- Department of Biology, Centre for Animals on the Move, Advanced Facility for Avian Research, Western University, London, ON, Canada, N6A 5B7
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Ramírez-Otarola N, Maldonado K, Valdés-Ferranty F, Newsome SD, Sabat P. Seasonal changes in diet, immune function, and oxidative stress in three passerines inhabiting a Mediterranean climate. Oecologia 2023; 203:395-405. [PMID: 37950102 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-023-05474-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
Oxidative status and immune function are energy-demanding traits closely linked to diet composition, particularly resource availability and nutritional value. In seasonal environments, nutrient availability and diet quality fluctuate, potentially influencing these traits. However, limited evidence exists regarding these dietary effects on immune function in seasonal environments. In this study, we employed stable isotope analysis to assess the impact of seasonal changes in niche width and trophic level (i.e., δ15N) on two immune variables (hemolysis and hemagglutination scores) and two oxidative status parameters (lipid peroxidation and total antioxidant capacity) in three passerine species: Zonotrichia capensis (omnivorous), Troglodytes aedon (insectivorous), and Spinus barbatus (granivorous). We found that hemolysis scores varied seasonally in Z. capensis, with higher values in winter compared to summer. Total antioxidant capacity (TAC) also increased during the winter in Z. capensis and S. barbatus. The isotopic niche width for Z. capensis and S. barbatus was smaller in winter than in summer, with the omnivorous species exhibiting a decrease in δ15N. Despite the seasonal shifts in ecological and physiological traits in Z. capensis, we identified no correlation between immune response and TAC with trophic level. In contrast, in the granivorous S. barbatus, the lower trophic level resulted in an increase in TAC without affecting immunity. Our findings revealed that dietary shifts do not uniformly impact oxidative status and immune function across bird species, highlighting species-specific responses to seasonal changes. This underscores the importance of integrating ecological and evolutionary perspectives when examining how diet shapes avian immunity and oxidative balance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Ramírez-Otarola
- Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Facultad de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Mayor, Camino La Pirámide 5750, Huechuraba, Santiago, Chile.
| | - Karin Maldonado
- Departamento de Ciencias, Facultad de Artes Liberales, Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez, Santiago, Chile
| | - Fernanda Valdés-Ferranty
- Departamento de Ciencias Ecológicas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Seth D Newsome
- Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Pablo Sabat
- Departamento de Ciencias Ecológicas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Center of Applied Ecology and Sustainability (CAPES), Santiago, Chile
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Valachovic AC, Chaves JN, DeMoranville KJ, Garbenis T, Nguyen BMH, Hughes M, Huss JM, Schaeffer PJ. Manipulation of photoperiod induces fat storage, but not fat mobilization in the migratory songbird, Dumetella carolinensis (Gray Catbird). J Comp Physiol B 2023; 193:569-580. [PMID: 37728689 DOI: 10.1007/s00360-023-01508-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Revised: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023]
Abstract
The annual cycle of migratory birds requires significant phenotypic remodeling. We sought to induce the migratory phenotype in Gray Catbirds by exposing them to a short-day light cycle. While adipose storage was stimulated, exceeding that typically seen in wild birds, other aspects of the migratory phenotype were unchanged. Of particular interest, the rate of lipid export from excised adipose tissue was nearly halved. This is in contrast to wild migratory birds in which lipid export rates are increased. These data suggest that exposure to an altered light cycle only activated the lipid storage program while inhibiting the lipid transport program. The factors governing lipid mobilization and transport remain to be elucidated.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Abigail C Valachovic
- Department of Biology, Miami University, 700 E. High St., 212 Pearson Hall, Oxford, OH, 45056, USA
- Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
| | - Jussara N Chaves
- Department of Biology, Miami University, 700 E. High St., 212 Pearson Hall, Oxford, OH, 45056, USA
- Rua Maria Do Bom Sucesso de Proença Moraes, No. 200 - Casa c34, São Paulo, 18214-570, Brazil
| | - Kristen J DeMoranville
- Department of Biology, Miami University, 700 E. High St., 212 Pearson Hall, Oxford, OH, 45056, USA
- Department of Natural Resources Science, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, 02881, USA
| | - Taylor Garbenis
- Department of Statistics, Miami University, Oxford, OH, 45056, USA
- Nationwide Insurance, Columbus, OH, 43215, USA
| | - Boi Minh Ha Nguyen
- Department of Statistics, Miami University, Oxford, OH, 45056, USA
- Deloitte & Touche LLP, Chicago, IL, 60601, USA
| | - Michael Hughes
- Department of Statistics, Miami University, Oxford, OH, 45056, USA
| | - Janice M Huss
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA
- Center for Cardiovascular Research, Cardiovascular Division, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, USA
| | - Paul J Schaeffer
- Department of Biology, Miami University, 700 E. High St., 212 Pearson Hall, Oxford, OH, 45056, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Dietz MW, Matson KD, Versteegh MA, van der Velde M, Parmentier HK, Arts JAJ, Salles JF, Tieleman BI. Gut microbiota of homing pigeons shows summer-winter variation under constant diet indicating a substantial effect of temperature. Anim Microbiome 2022; 4:64. [PMID: 36514126 PMCID: PMC9749179 DOI: 10.1186/s42523-022-00216-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gut microbiotas play a pivotal role in host physiology and behaviour, and may affect host life-history traits such as seasonal variation in host phenotypic state. Generally, seasonal gut microbiota variation is attributed to seasonal diet variation. However, seasonal temperature and day length variation may also drive gut microbiota variation. We investigated summer-winter differences in the gut bacterial community (GBC) in 14 homing pigeons living outdoors under a constant diet by collecting cloacal swabs in both seasons during two years. Because temperature effects may be mediated by host metabolism, we determined basal metabolic rate (BMR) and body mass. Immune competence is influenced by day length and has a close relationship with the GBC, and it may thus be a link between day length and gut microbiota. Therefore, we measured seven innate immune indices. We expected the GBC to show summer-winter differences and to correlate with metabolism and immune indices. RESULTS BMR, body mass, and two immune indices varied seasonally, other host factors did not. The GBC showed differences between seasons and sexes, and correlated with metabolism and immune indices. The most abundant genus (Lachnoclostridium 12, 12%) and associated higher taxa, were more abundant in winter, though not significantly at the phylum level, Firmicutes. Bacteroidetes were more abundant in summer. The Firmicutes:Bacteroidetes ratio tended to be higher in winter. The KEGG ortholog functions for fatty acid biosynthesis and linoleic acid metabolism (PICRUSt2) had increased abundances in winter. CONCLUSIONS The GBC of homing pigeons varied seasonally, even under a constant diet. The correlations between immune indices and the GBC did not involve consistently specific immune indices and included only one of the two immune indices that showed seasonal differences, suggesting that immune competence may be an unlikely link between day length and the GBC. The correlations between the GBC and metabolism indices, the higher Firmicutes:Bacteroidetes ratio in winter, and the resemblance of the summer-winter differences in the GBC with the general temperature effects on the GBC in the literature, suggest that temperature partly drove the summer-winter differences in the GBC in homing pigeons.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maurine W Dietz
- Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 7, 9747AG, Groningen, The Netherlands.
| | - Kevin D Matson
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, Environmental Science Group, Wageningen University & Research, Droevendaalsesteeg 3a, 6708PB, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
| | - Maaike A Versteegh
- Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 7, 9747AG, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Marco van der Velde
- Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 7, 9747AG, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Henk K Parmentier
- Adaptation Physiology Group, Department of Animal Sciences, Wageningen University & Research, De Elst 1, 6708 WD, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Joop A J Arts
- Adaptation Physiology Group, Department of Animal Sciences, Wageningen University & Research, De Elst 1, 6708 WD, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Joana F Salles
- Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 7, 9747AG, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - B Irene Tieleman
- Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 7, 9747AG, Groningen, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
McWilliams S, Carter W, Cooper-Mullin C, DeMoranville K, Frawley A, Pierce B, Skrip M. How Birds During Migration Maintain (Oxidative) Balance. Front Ecol Evol 2021. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2021.742642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Animals dynamically adjust their physiology and behavior to survive in changing environments, and seasonal migration is one life stage that demonstrates these dynamic adjustments. As birds migrate between breeding and wintering areas, they incur physiological demands that challenge their antioxidant system. Migrating birds presumably respond to these oxidative challenges by up-regulating protective endogenous systems or accumulating dietary antioxidants at stopover sites, although our understanding of the pre-migration preparations and mid-migration responses of birds to such oxidative challenges is as yet incomplete. Here we review evidence from field and captive-bird studies that address the following questions: (1) Do migratory birds build antioxidant capacity as they build fat stores in preparation for long flights? (2) Is oxidative damage an inevitable consequence of oxidative challenges such as flight, and, if so, how is the extent of damage affected by factors such as the response of the antioxidant system, the level of energetic challenge, and the availability of dietary antioxidants? (3) Do migratory birds ‘recover’ from the oxidative damage accrued during long-duration flights, and, if so, does the pace of this rebalancing of oxidative status depend on the quality of the stopover site? The answer to all these questions is a qualified ‘yes’ although ecological factors (e.g., diet and habitat quality, geographic barriers to migration, and weather) affect how the antioxidant system responds. Furthermore, the pace of this dynamic physiological response remains an open question, despite its potential importance for shaping outcomes on timescales ranging from single flights to migratory journeys. In sum, the antioxidant system of birds during migration is impressively dynamic and responsive to environmental conditions, and thus provides ample opportunities to study how the physiology of migratory birds responds to a changing and challenging world.
Collapse
|