1
|
Ribeiro LRR, Sans ECDO, Santos RM, Taconelli CA, de Farias R, Molento CFM. Will the white blood cells tell? A potential novel tool to assess broiler chicken welfare. Front Vet Sci 2024; 11:1384802. [PMID: 39015105 PMCID: PMC11250086 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1384802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/18/2024] Open
Abstract
This study assessed qualitative and quantitative leukocyte evaluation as potential broiler chicken welfare indicators, contributing to the limited literature on white blood cell (WBC) morphology as a diagnostic tool for welfare. Broiler chicken welfare within four poultry houses (PH) 1 to 4, each on a different farm, was assessed using on-field indicators of affective states and health, and WBC morphology was examined. Affective states were evaluated using the Qualitative Behavior Assessment (QBA), with 25 behavioral expressions scored on a visual analogue scale (VAS) and grouped into two categories. Health indicators included assessments of lameness, footpad dermatitis, dermatitis on the breast and abdominal areas, hock burn, and feather cleaning. Blood samples were collected, differential leukocyte counts were performed, and a cell score was created for the recognition, classification, and interpretation of morphologic diversity of heterophils and lymphocytes. The heterophil to lymphocyte ratio (H/L) was also determined. Descriptive statistics and generalized linear models for binomial responses were used to analyze the results. PH4 differed from the other farms, showing a higher frequency of birds within QBA group 1 ('Attentive'to 'Desperate'), while birds in PH1, PH2, and PH3 were more frequent in QBA group 2 ('Relaxed' to 'Positively occupied'). Elevated proportions of heterophils in birds from PH4 (0.61, CI95%: 0.58; 0.64) and PH3 (0.60, CI95%: 0.57; 0.63) suggested higher stress levels and inflammatory responses. Birds in PH2 and PH4 exhibited higher frequencies of health issues such as dermatitis and lameness, and higher proportions of abnormalities in WBC number and morphology. PH3 and PH4 exhibited higher H/L ratios of 3.03 and 2.58, respectively, consistent with the on-field health and behavioral indicators. Blood samples from birds in PH2 and PH4 showed a proportion of 90% toxic change in heterophils, while in PH1 and PH3 it was 70%, indicating high levels of abnormal WBC morphology across all PHs. The findings emphasize the multifactorial nature of welfare impairments, including environmental conditions, health, and affective states. This highlights the need for indicators that reflect multiple welfare impacts, such as WBC counts and morphological alterations, which can serve as powerful tools in the complex task of assessing animal welfare.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura Raquel Rios Ribeiro
- Animal Welfare Laboratory, Department of Animal Science, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Roberta de Farias
- Animal Welfare Laboratory, Department of Animal Science, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil
| | | |
Collapse
|
2
|
Quirici V, Valeris-Chacín CE, Parada P, Cuevas E, Wingfield JC. Baseline Corticosterone, Stress Responses, and Leukocyte Profiles in Chicks of Precocial Birds in Rural and Urban Environments. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:2138. [PMID: 38004278 PMCID: PMC10672541 DOI: 10.3390/life13112138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The urban environment produces complex relationship among urban stressors that could change the levels of the steroid hormone, glucocorticoid (GCs). Studies that have evaluated baseline corticosterone (Cort) levels (the main GC in birds) and stress responses during development in urban and rural environments have obtained contrasting results. This ambiguity could partially be because the studies were carried out in altricial species, where parental care and sibling competition can affect Cort levels. Therefore, in this study, we compared levels of circulating baseline levels of CORT (blood sample obtained within 3 min of capture) and stress responses (blood sample obtained 30 min after capture) and the H/L ratio (an alternative method to measure stress) in chicks of a precocial bird, southern lapwings (Vanellus chilensis), from one rural (6 chicks), one urban low-polluted (13 chicks), and one urban high-polluted (10 chicks) site of Metropolitan Region of Santiago de Chile. We observed higher baseline Cort (2.41 ± 1.78 ng/mL) in the urban high-polluted site, a higher H/L ratio (0.51 ± 0.20) in the urban low-polluted site, and similar stress response across the three sites. We propose that the difference in stress physiology we observed within Santiago de Chile is because the two zones are at extremes in terms of stressors (noise, light, chemical, and human presence). It is unusual to find a precocious bird that lives in both urban and rural areas; therefore, the results of this study will advance our knowledge of the effect of the urban environment during the development of wildlife, which is relevant in terms of management and conservation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Verónica Quirici
- Centro de Investigación para la Sustentabilidad, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andres Bello, Av. República 440, Santiago 8370251, Chile
| | - Carlos E. Valeris-Chacín
- Departamento de Ciencias Ecológicas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8330015, Chile
- Cape Horn International Center for Global Change Studies and Biocultural Conservation (CHIC), O’Higgins 310, Cabo de Hornos, Puerto Williams 6350000, Chile
| | - Pablo Parada
- Centro de Investigación para la Sustentabilidad, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andres Bello, Av. República 440, Santiago 8370251, Chile
| | - Elfego Cuevas
- Centro de Investigación para la Sustentabilidad, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andres Bello, Av. República 440, Santiago 8370251, Chile
- Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andrés Bello, Quillota 980, Viña del Mar 2520000, Chile
| | - John C. Wingfield
- Department of Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior, University of California, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Furtado AP, Carvalho ITS, Lewis EL, Bleke CA, Pantoja DL, Colli GR, French SS, Paludo GR. Short-term impact of a wildfire on the homeostasis of Tropidurus oreadicus lizards. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL ZOOLOGY. PART A, ECOLOGICAL AND INTEGRATIVE PHYSIOLOGY 2023; 339:423-436. [PMID: 36773015 DOI: 10.1002/jez.2687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Revised: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023]
Abstract
Wildfires cause significant changes in natural habitats and can impact lizard populations. Through changes in the thermal environment, reduced prey availability, and increased exposure to parasite vectors, wildfires affect lizard physiology, immunity, and health. We sampled 56 Tropidurus oreadicus lizards from Cerrado savannas of Brazil living in two adjacent sites: one burned 14 days before the study, and the other unburned for 6 years. We logged the air temperatures of those sites throughout fieldwork. We assessed the short-term possible homeostatic imbalances caused by the fires via measuring body mass, circulating levels of corticosterone (CORT), leukocytes profile changes in heterophile-lymphocyte ratios (HLRs), innate immunity using the bacterial killing assay (BKA), and the diagnosis of hemoparasites using molecular techniques. The air temperature was significantly higher in the burned site. There was no difference in lizard body mass between the two sites, suggesting that prey availability was not affected by the wildfire. While parasite presence was seemingly not affected by fire, the timing of initial parasite infection for animals in the study was unknown, so we also evaluated parasitism as an independent variable relative to the other metrics. Our results showed that parasitic infections lead to reduced bactericidal capacity and body mass in lizards, suggesting clinical disease and depletion of innate immune resources. Moreover, we observed increased HLR with fire and parasitic infections and a strong negative correlation with BKA. These findings suggest that the increased environmental temperature following wildfires may lead to increased CORT and decreased BKA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adriana P Furtado
- Departamento de Ciências Animais, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brazil
| | - Izabelle T S Carvalho
- Departamento de Ciências Animais, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brazil
| | - Erin L Lewis
- Department of Biology, Utah State University, Logan, Utah, USA
| | - Cole A Bleke
- Department of Wildland Resources, Utah State University, Logan, Utah, USA
| | - Davi L Pantoja
- Departamento de Biologia, Universidade Federal do Piauí, Teresina, Piauí, Brazil
| | - Guarino R Colli
- Departamento de Zoologia, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brazil
| | | | - Giane R Paludo
- Departamento de Ciências Animais, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Han B, van den Berg H, Loonen MJ, Mateo R, van den Brink NW. Mercury-Modulated Immune Responses in Arctic Barnacle Goslings ( Branta leucopsis) upon a Viral-Like Immune Challenge. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:5337-5348. [PMID: 36940419 PMCID: PMC10077589 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c07622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Revised: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Historical mining activities in Svalbard (79°N/12°E) have caused local mercury (Hg) contamination. To address the potential immunomodulatory effects of environmental Hg on Arctic organisms, we collected newborn barnacle goslings (Branta leucopsis) and herded them in either a control or mining site, differing in Hg levels. An additional group at the mining site was exposed to extra inorganic Hg(II) via supplementary feed. Hepatic total Hg concentrations differed significantly between the control (0.011 ± 0.002 mg/kg dw), mine (0.043 ± 0.011 mg/kg dw), and supplementary feed (0.713 ± 0.137 mg/kg dw) gosling groups (average ± standard deviation). Upon immune challenge with double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) injection, endpoints for immune responses and oxidative stress were measured after 24 h. Our results indicated that Hg exposure modulated the immune responses in Arctic barnacle goslings upon a viral-like immune challenge. Increased exposure to both environmental as well as supplemental Hg reduced the level of natural antibodies, suggesting impaired humoral immunity. Hg exposure upregulated the expression of proinflammatory genes in the spleen, including inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and interleukin 18 (IL18), suggesting Hg-induced inflammatory effects. Exposure to Hg also oxidized glutathione (GSH) to glutathione disulfide (GSSG); however, goslings were capable of maintaining the redox balance by de novo synthesis of GSH. These adverse effects on the immune responses indicated that even exposure to low, environmentally relevant levels of Hg might affect immune competence at the individual level and might even increase the susceptibility of the population to infections.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Biyao Han
- Wageningen
University, Division of Toxicology, Postal code 8000, NL-6700 EA Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Hans van den Berg
- Wageningen
University, Division of Toxicology, Postal code 8000, NL-6700 EA Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Maarten J.J.E. Loonen
- University
of Groningen, Arctic Centre, Aweg 30, NL-9718 CW Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Rafael Mateo
- Instituto
de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos (IREC), Ronda de Toledo, 12, 13071 Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Nico W. van den Brink
- Wageningen
University, Division of Toxicology, Postal code 8000, NL-6700 EA Wageningen, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Sharma A, Tripathi V, Kumar V. Control and adaptability of seasonal changes in behavior and physiology of latitudinal avian migrants: Insights from laboratory studies in Palearctic-Indian migratory buntings. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL ZOOLOGY. PART A, ECOLOGICAL AND INTEGRATIVE PHYSIOLOGY 2022; 337:902-918. [PMID: 35677956 DOI: 10.1002/jez.2631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Revised: 05/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Twice-a-year migrations, one in autumn and the other in spring, occur within a discrete time window with striking alterations in the behavior and physiology, as regulated by the interaction of endogenous rhythms with prevailing photoperiod. These seasonal voyages are not isolated events; rather, they are part of an overall annual itinerary and remain closely coupled to the other annual subcycles, called seasonal life history states (LHSs). The success of migration depends on appropriate timing of the initiation and termination of each LHS, for example, reproduction, molt, summer nonmigratory, preautumn migratory (fattening and weight gain), autumn migratory, winter nonmigratory (wnM), prevernal (spring) migratory (fattening and weight gain), and spring migratory LHSs. Migration-linked photoperiod-induced changes include the body fattening and weight gain, nocturnal Zugunruhe (migratory restlessness), elevated triglycerides and free fatty acids, triiodothyronine and corticosterone levels. Hypothalamic expression of the thyroid hormone-responsive dio2 and dio3, light-responsive per2, cry1, and adcyap1 and th (tyrosine hydroxylase, involved in dopamine biosynthesis) genes also show significant changes with transition from wnM to the vernal migratory LHS. Concurrent changes in the expression of genes associated with lipid metabolism and its transport also occur in the liver and flight muscles, respectively. Interestingly, there are clear differences in the behavioral and physiological phenotypes, and associated molecular changes, between the autumn and vernal migrations. In this review, we discuss seasonal changes in the behavior and physiology, and present molecular insights into the development of migratory phenotypes in latitudinal avian migrants, with special reference to Palearctic-Indian migratory buntings.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aakansha Sharma
- Department of Zoology, IndoUS Center in Chronobiology, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Vatsala Tripathi
- Department of Zoology, Dyal Singh College, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Vinod Kumar
- Department of Zoology, IndoUS Center in Chronobiology, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Diggins R, Burrie R, Ariel E, Ridley J, Olsen J, Schultz S, Pettett-Willmett A, Hemming G, Lloyd J. A review of welfare indicators for sea turtles undergoing rehabilitation, with emphasis on environmental enrichment. Anim Welf 2022. [DOI: 10.7120/09627286.31.2.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
For animals undergoing rehabilitation it is vital to monitor welfare in a way that is feasible, practical, and limits stress to the animal. The industry gold standard is to assess welfare under the Five Domains model, including nutrition, environment, physical health, and behaviour
as the first four physical domains and mental domain as the fifth. Feasibility and effectiveness of these domains for assessing welfare of sea turtles undergoing rehabilitation were reviewed and it was determined that the mental state can be best assessed through behavioural changes. A scoping
review of the literature was conducted using Scopus and Web of Science to investigate use of environmental enrichment devices (EEDs) as a measure of welfare in sea turtles. Behavioural assessments using EEDs were found to be well-documented; however, most EED studies pertained largely to livestock
or zoo animals. Furthermore, studies rarely concentrated on reptiles, and specifically sea turtles. Results also showed that certain welfare assessment methods may be less appropriate for short-term captivity experienced during rehabilitation. Additionally, the hospital environment limits
the ability to address some of the domains (ie biosecurity, feasibility, safety of turtle, etc, might be compromised). This review shows that only three of the nine environmental enrichment strategies described in the literature suit the specific requirements of sea turtles in rehabilitation:
feeding, tactile, and structural. It is documented that turtles display behaviours that would benefit from EEDs and, therefore, more specific studies are needed to ensure the best welfare outcomes for sea turtles undergoing rehabilitation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- R Diggins
- College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, 1 Solander Drive, Douglas, QLD 4811, Australia
| | - R Burrie
- College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, 1 Solander Drive, Douglas, QLD 4811, Australia
| | - E Ariel
- College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, 1 Solander Drive, Douglas, QLD 4811, Australia
| | - J Ridley
- College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, 1 Solander Drive, Douglas, QLD 4811, Australia
| | - J Olsen
- College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, 1 Solander Drive, Douglas, QLD 4811, Australia
| | - S Schultz
- College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, 1 Solander Drive, Douglas, QLD 4811, Australia
| | - A Pettett-Willmett
- College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, 1 Solander Drive, Douglas, QLD 4811, Australia
| | - G Hemming
- College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, 1 Solander Drive, Douglas, QLD 4811, Australia
| | - J Lloyd
- College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, 1 Solander Drive, Douglas, QLD 4811, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Roast MJ, Eastwood JR, Aranzamendi NH, Fan M, Teunissen N, Verhulst S, Peters A. Telomere length declines with age, but relates to immune function independent of age in a wild passerine. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2022; 9:212012. [PMID: 35601455 PMCID: PMC9043702 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.212012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Telomere length (TL) shortens with age but telomere dynamics can relate to fitness components independent of age. Immune function often relates to such fitness components and can also interact with telomeres. Studying the link between TL and immune function may therefore help us understand telomere-fitness associations. We assessed the relationships between erythrocyte TL and four immune indices (haptoglobin, natural antibodies (NAbs), complement activity (CA) and heterophil-lymphocyte (HL) ratio; n = 477-589), from known-aged individuals of a wild passerine (Malurus coronatus). As expected, we find that TL significantly declined with age. To verify whether associations between TL and immune function were independent of parallel age-related changes (e.g. immunosenescence), we statistically controlled for sampling age and used within-subject centring of TL to separate relationships within or between individuals. We found that TL positively predicted CA at the between-individual level (individuals with longer average TL had higher CA), but no other immune indices. By contrast, age predicted the levels of NAbs and HL ratio, allowing inference that respective associations between TL and age with immune indices are independent. Any links existing between TL and fitness are therefore unlikely to be strongly mediated by innate immune function, while TL and immune indices appear independent expressions of individual heterogeneity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael J. Roast
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Justin R. Eastwood
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | | | - Marie Fan
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Niki Teunissen
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Simon Verhulst
- Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 7, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Anne Peters
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Victoria 3800, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Roast MJ, Hidalgo Aranzamendi N, Teunissen N, Fan M, Verhulst S, Peters A. No Evidence for Constitutive Innate Immune Senescence in a Longitudinal Study of a Wild Bird. Physiol Biochem Zool 2021; 95:54-65. [PMID: 34870562 DOI: 10.1086/717937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
AbstractAging is associated with declines in physiological performance; declining immune defenses particularly could have consequences for age-related fitness and survival. In aging vertebrates, adaptive (memory-based) immune responses typically become impaired, innate (nonspecific) responses undergo lesser declines, and inflammation increases. Longitudinal studies of immune functions in wild animals are rare, yet they are needed to understand immunosenescence under evolutionarily relevant conditions. Using longitudinal data from a tropical passerine (Malurus coronatus) population, we investigate how population trends emerge from within-individual changes and between-individual heterogeneity (e.g., selective disappearance) in immune status. We quantified constitutive immune indexes (haptoglobin [inflammation associated], natural antibodies, complement [lytic] activity, and heterophil-lymphocyte ratio; n=505-631) in individuals sampled one to seven times over 5 yr. Unexpectedly, longitudinal analyses showed no age-related change within individuals in any immune index, despite sufficient power to detect within-individual change. Between individuals, we found age-related declines in natural antibodies and increases in heterophil-lymphocyte ratios. However, selective disappearance could not adequately explain between-individual age effects, and longitudinal models could not explain our data better than cross-sectional analyses. The lack of clear within-individual immunosenescence is itself notable. Persistent levels of haptoglobin, complement activity, and natural antibodies into old age suggests that these immune components are maintained, potentially with adaptive significance.
Collapse
|
9
|
Cann AA, Weber RR, Harden LA, Thompson D, Nadolski J, Mattes J, Karwowska A, Shahjahan S, Milanovich JR. Physiological Health and Survival of Captive-Reared and Released Juvenile Blanding's Turtles. Physiol Biochem Zool 2021; 94:411-428. [PMID: 34569914 DOI: 10.1086/716832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
AbstractConservation translocations are important in maintaining viable wildlife populations of vulnerable species within their indigenous ranges. To be effective, population restoration efforts (e.g., head start programs) must consider the species' life history, regional ecology, and physiology and the health status of wild and translocated populations. The decline of Blanding's turtles (Emydoidea blandingii) has prompted the initiation of head start programs, but the health and short-term survival of head-started juveniles released to the wild is largely unknown. From May to October 2016 and 2017, we radio tracked captive-reared, recently released juvenile Blanding's turtles and monitored their survivorship and monthly physiological health. We aimed to (1) compare physiological metrics of juveniles before and after release from captivity and between head-started cohorts, (2) identify seasonal trends in physiological metrics of recently released juveniles, (3) compare physiological metrics of recently released and formerly released juveniles, and (4) identify predictors of juvenile survivorship after release from captivity. Juvenile short-term survival was low compared with other studies. Most physiological metrics did not change after release from captivity, negating significant juvenile stress before or after release. Physiological metrics for recently released cohorts varied seasonally, suggesting that these juveniles were likely in good health. Some physiological metrics differed between recently released and formerly released juveniles, demonstrating a potential postrelease acclimatization period. Finally, no physiological metrics significantly predicted survival, but surviving juveniles had a higher percentage of fat. In all, juvenile deaths were not due to poor turtle health but rather to predation from human-subsidized mesocarnivores. Therefore, head-started juvenile Blanding's turtles released in suburban areas may benefit from antipredator training and mesocarnivore control at release sites.
Collapse
|
10
|
POSTRELEASE SURVIVAL OF CALIFORNIA BROWN PELICANS (PELECANUS OCCIDENTALIS CALIFORNICUS) FOLLOWING OILING AND REHABILITATION AFTER THE REFUGIO OIL SPILL. J Wildl Dis 2021; 57:590-600. [PMID: 33961034 DOI: 10.7589/jwd-d-20-00171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2020] [Accepted: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Oil spills represent a continued threat to marine wildlife. Although the public expects, and the State of California, US requires, oiled animals to be rescued for rehabilitation and release, scientists have questioned the welfare and conservation value of capture and rehabilitation of oiled wildlife, based on poor postrelease survival documented in the few available studies. In May 2015, Plains Pipeline 901 spilled >100,000 gallons of oil near Refugio State Beach, California. Many California Brown Pelicans (Pelecanus occidentalis californicus) were oiled; capture and rehabilitation efforts began within 1 d. Ultimately, 65 live birds were captured, including 50 pelicans. Forty-six pelicans survived and were released. Of these, 12 adults (six male, six female) were fitted with solar-powered GPS satellite Platform Terminal Transmitters (PTT) and released in June 2015. In early July, we captured eight adult (three male, four female, one unknown), unoiled pelicans from the Ventura, California area. These control birds were similarly instrumented and released immediately. At 6 mo after release, PTTs from nine of 12 oiled pelicans and six of eight control pelicans were still transmitting; at 1 yr, those numbers decreased to two of 12 and two of eight, respectively. Survival analysis revealed no difference in survival between oiled and control birds. Although our sample size is limited, these data demonstrate that most oiled and rehabilitated pelicans can survive for 6 mo following release, and some individuals can survive over 1 yr.
Collapse
|
11
|
Luoto S, Krama T, Rubika A, Borráz-León JI, Trakimas G, Elferts D, Skrinda I, Krams R, Moore FR, Birbele E, Kaminska I, Contreras-Garduño J, Rantala MJ, Krams IA. Socioeconomic position, immune function, and its physiological markers. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2021; 127:105202. [PMID: 33756285 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2021.105202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Revised: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The development of costly traits such as immune function and secondary sexual traits is constrained by resource availability. The quality of developmental conditions and the availability of resources in ontogeny may therefore influence immune system functions and other biological traits. We analyzed causal pathways between family socioeconomic position, strength of immune response, and five physiological biomarkers in young Latvian men (n = 93) using structural equation modeling. Men from wealthier families had higher testosterone levels (rs = 0.280), stronger immune response (rs = 0.551), and higher facial attractiveness (rs = 0.300). There were weak, non-significant correlations between family income, body fat percentage (rs = -0.147), and fluctuating asymmetry (rs = -0.159). Testosterone partially (33.8%) mediated the effect of family income on facial masculinity. Testosterone (positively) and adiposity (negatively) partially (4%) mediated the relationship between family income and immune function. Higher facial masculinity, higher facial symmetry, and lower adiposity were reliable and independent cues of better immune function (R2 = 0.238) in a larger sample of young Latvian men (N = 146). Resource availability in ontogeny has an important role for the development of immune function and physical appearance, and it is a key parameter to be included in human eco-immunological research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Severi Luoto
- School of Psychology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Tatjana Krama
- Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia; Chair of Plant Health, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Tartu, Estonia; Department of Biotechnology, Daugavpils University, Daugavpils, Latvia
| | - Anna Rubika
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Daugavpils University, Daugavpils, Latvia
| | - Javier I Borráz-León
- Department of Biology, University of Turku, Turku, Finland; Department of Ethology, National Institute of Psychiatry "Ramón de la Fuente Muñiz", Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Giedrius Trakimas
- Institute of Biosciences, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Didzis Elferts
- Department of Botany and Ecology, Faculty of Biology, University of Latvia, Rīga, Latvia
| | | | - Ronalds Krams
- Chair of Plant Health, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Tartu, Estonia; Department of Biotechnology, Daugavpils University, Daugavpils, Latvia; Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Daugavpils University, Daugavpils, Latvia
| | - Fhionna R Moore
- Institute of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Elza Birbele
- Department of Zoology and Animal Ecology, Faculty of Biology, University of Latvia, Rīga, Latvia
| | - Irena Kaminska
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Daugavpils University, Daugavpils, Latvia
| | - Jorge Contreras-Garduño
- Escuela Nacional de Estudios Superiores Unidad Morelia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Morelia, Mexico
| | - Markus J Rantala
- Department of Biology & Turku Brain and Mind Centre, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Indrikis A Krams
- Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia; Department of Biotechnology, Daugavpils University, Daugavpils, Latvia; Department of Zoology and Animal Ecology, Faculty of Biology, University of Latvia, Rīga, Latvia.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
English SG, Sandoval-Herrera NI, Bishop CA, Cartwright M, Maisonneuve F, Elliott JE, Welch KC. Neonicotinoid pesticides exert metabolic effects on avian pollinators. Sci Rep 2021; 11:2914. [PMID: 33536520 PMCID: PMC7858574 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-82470-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2020] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Neonicotinoids are neurotoxic systemic insecticides applied extensively worldwide. The impacts of common neonicotinoids like imidacloprid on non-target invertebrate pollinators have been widely studied, however effects on vertebrate pollinators have received little attention. Here, we describe the first study evaluating the effects of short-term (3 d) exposure to a range of environmentally relevant concentrations ([Formula: see text] to [Formula: see text]Body Weight) of imidacloprid on wild-caught ruby-throated hummingbirds. Within 2 h of exposure, hummingbirds exhibited a significant depression in energy expenditure (up to [Formula: see text]). We did not observe significant effects on foraging behaviour measured in the subsequent 2 h to 4 h, although the effect size estimate was large (0.29). We also analyzed tissues collected 24 h after the final dose and did not observe significant effects on immune response or cholinesterase activity, although this may be related to our small sample size. We determined that hummingbirds excrete imidacloprid quickly (elimination half-life of [Formula: see text]) relative to other bird species. Hummingbirds have high energetic demands and store relatively little energy, especially during migration and breeding seasons. Therefore, changes in their metabolism following exposures to imidacloprid observed herein could bear important survivorship consequences for hummingbirds.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Simon G English
- Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Biological Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Natalia I Sandoval-Herrera
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Christine A Bishop
- Wildlife Research Division, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Delta, BC, Canada
| | - Melissa Cartwright
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - France Maisonneuve
- Ecotoxicology and Wildlife Health Division, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - John E Elliott
- Wildlife Research Division, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Delta, BC, Canada
| | - Kenneth C Welch
- Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada. .,Department of Biological Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, ON, Canada. .,Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, ON, Canada. .,Centre for the Neurobiology of Stress, University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, ON, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Boroumandnia Z, Khosravinia H, Masouri B, Parizadian Kavan B. Effects of dietary supplementation of guanidinoacetic acid on physiological response of broiler chicken exposed to repeated lactic acid injection. ITALIAN JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE 2021. [DOI: 10.1080/1828051x.2021.1873075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Babak Masouri
- Department of Animal Sciences, Lorestan University, Khorramabad, Iran
| | | |
Collapse
|
14
|
Ribeiro PVA, Baesse CQ, Cury MC, de Melo C. Leukocyte profile of the helmeted manakin, Antilophia galeata (Passeriformes: Pipridae) in a Cerrado forest fragment. ZOOLOGIA 2020. [DOI: 10.3897/zoologia.37.e46441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Changes in the amounts and proportions of leukocytes, known as leucocyte profiles, have been documented for several bird species and have been used to measure stress levels in these animals. The present work ascertained the biological and ecological attributes that influence the leukocyte profile of Antilophia galeata (Lichtenstein, 1823), the helmeted manakin. This species has been deemed useful in ecological studies because it responds to environmental changes. Blood samples drawn from 89 individuals of A. galeata captured in a Cerrado forest fragment were subjected to analysis under optical microscopy to identify and quantify leukocytes and micronuclei. The number of lymphocytes was greater for males, non-reproductive individuals and individuals infected with ticks. None of the leukocyte components differed in relation to age, molting or body condition index. The amount of micronuclei was correlated with values for total leukocytes, H/L ratio, heterophils, basophils and monocytes. The results suggest that reproduction may be an immunosuppressive factor for the species, producing sexual differences in lymphocyte availability. In addition, biomarkers of genotoxic damage (micronuclei) were related to the amount of leukocytes, indicating that individuals may be sensitive to environmental disturbances. Leukocyte profiles can be considered a useful tool for addressing ecological questions that are relevant to the conservation of species in degraded environments.
Collapse
|
15
|
Fokidis HB, Brock T. Hurricane Irma induces divergent behavioral and hormonal impacts on an urban and forest population of invasive Anolis lizards: evidence for an urban resilience hypothesis. JOURNAL OF URBAN ECOLOGY 2020. [DOI: 10.1093/jue/juaa031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Hurricanes can have both profound short-term effects on animal populations and serve as long-term drivers of evolutionary change. Animals inhabiting varying habitats may differ in their response to hurricane impacts. Increasing evidence suggests that animals from urban areas exhibit different behavioral and physiological traits compared to rural counterparts, including attenuated hormonal stress responses and a lowered propensity for flight behavior. A unique opportunity was presented when Hurricane Irma hit Florida on 10 September 2017 and interrupted a study of invasive brown anoles (Anolis sagrei) at an urban and a forest. Using data collected before and after Hurricane Irma, we documented that forest anoles exhibited a greater avoidance of people and more male territorial behavior for a longer period of time following the hurricane. Post-hurricane both populations increased corticosterone concentrations post-capture stress, but urban anoles recovered 2 weeks faster than forest conspecifics. A dexamethasone suppression experiment suggested that these population differences were the result of forest anoles having a less effective negative feedback regulating corticosterone secretion. In the brain, forest anoles had higher corticosterone concentrations within the amygdala and parts of the cortex associated with stress than urban lizards. One explanation may be Hurricane Irma brought flooding and debris that altered the landscape leading to behavioral instability, and urban lizards already exhibited ecological adjustments that permitted a more rapid recovery (i.e. the ‘urban resilience’ hypothesis). Testing if urban animals are more resilient to natural disasters can inform conservationists interested in understanding their role in facilitating invasive species expansion and what their increasing presence may indicate for animal populations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- H Bobby Fokidis
- Department of Biology, Rollins College, 1000 Holt Avenue, Winter Park, FL 32789-4499, USA
| | - Taylor Brock
- Department of Biology, Rollins College, 1000 Holt Avenue, Winter Park, FL 32789-4499, USA
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Roast MJ, Aranzamendi NH, Fan M, Teunissen N, Hall MD, Peters A. Fitness outcomes in relation to individual variation in constitutive innate immune function. Proc Biol Sci 2020; 287:20201997. [PMID: 33143586 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2020.1997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Although crucial for host survival when facing persistent parasite pressure, costly immune functions will inevitably compete for resources with other energetically expensive traits such as reproduction. Optimizing, but not necessarily maximizing, immune function might therefore provide net benefit to overall host fitness. Evidence for associations between fitness and immune function is relatively rare, limiting our potential to understand ultimate fitness costs of immune investment. Here, we assess how measures of constitutive immune function (haptoglobin, natural antibodies, complement activity) relate to subsequent fitness outcomes (survival, reproductive success, dominance acquisition) in a wild passerine (Malurus coronatus). Surprisingly, survival probability was not positively linearly predicted by any immune index. Instead, both low and high values of complement activity (quadratic effect) were associated with higher survival, suggesting that different immune investment strategies might reflect a dynamic disease environment. Positive linear relationships between immune indices and reproductive success suggest that individual heterogeneity overrides potential resource reallocation trade-offs within individuals. Controlling for body condition (size-adjusted body mass) and chronic stress (heterophil-lymphocyte ratio) did not alter our findings in a sample subset with available data. Overall, our results suggest that constitutive immune components have limited net costs for fitness and that variation in immune maintenance relates to individual differences more closely.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael J Roast
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | | | - Marie Fan
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Niki Teunissen
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Matthew D Hall
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Anne Peters
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Victoria 3800, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Chung ELT, Alghirani MM, Kamalludin MH, Nayan N, Jesse FFA, Wei OTA, Stephen MAFMH, Reduan MFH, Loh TC. Do different vaccination regimes affect the growth performance, immune status, carcase characteristics and meat quality of broilers? Br Poult Sci 2020; 62:32-37. [PMID: 32875813 DOI: 10.1080/00071668.2020.1817327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
1. A vaccination regime is a schedule for the administration of vaccines which may vary according to country or even by farm. This study aimed to measure the production and health performance of broilers treated with different vaccination regimes. 2. A total of 108 Cobb 500 broiler birds were randomly divided into three treatment groups, with six replicates consisting of six birds per replicate. Each treatment group was administered with different vaccination regimes against Newcastle Disease (ND), Infectious Bronchitis (IB) and Infectious Bursal Disease (IBD). Treatment 1 (T1) broilers were vaccinated against ND+IB and IBD on days 7 and 14 of age, respectively (control); Treatment 2 (T2) broilers were vaccinated against ND+IB on days 3 and 7 of age, and IBD on day 14; and Treatment 3 (T3) broilers were vaccinated against ND+IB on days 7 and 21 and IBD on day 14. Throughout the 42-day study period, data and samples were collected to determine the growth performance, immune status, carcase characteristics and meat quality. 3. There were significant differences (P < 0.05) on growth performance (body weight, body weight gain, feed intake and cumulative feed conversion ratio), white blood cell count (heterophils percentage, lymphocytes percentage and heterophils to lymphocytes ratio), carcase characteristics (kill-out weight, de-feathered weight, dressing percentage, drumsticks and gastrointestinal tract weight) and meat quality (cooking loss and drip loss) between treatments. T1 broilers showed better growth, white blood cell count, carcase characteristics and meat quality compared to T2 and T3 broilers. 4. Based on findings from the current work, vaccination against ND+IB and IBD on days 7 and 14 proved to be the best vaccination regime for broiler production, due to the better production performance and health status of broilers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- E L T Chung
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Universiti Putra Malaysia , Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.,Institute of Tropical Agriculture and Food Security, Universiti Putra Malaysia , Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - M M Alghirani
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Universiti Putra Malaysia , Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - M H Kamalludin
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Universiti Putra Malaysia , Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.,Institute of Tropical Agriculture and Food Security, Universiti Putra Malaysia , Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - N Nayan
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Universiti Putra Malaysia , Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - F F A Jesse
- Institute of Tropical Agriculture and Food Security, Universiti Putra Malaysia , Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.,Department of Veterinary Clinical Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Putra Malaysia , Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - O T A Wei
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Universiti Putra Malaysia , Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - M A F M H Stephen
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Universiti Putra Malaysia , Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - M F H Reduan
- Department of Paraclinical Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, Pengkalan Chepa , Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia
| | - T C Loh
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Universiti Putra Malaysia , Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.,Institute of Tropical Agriculture and Food Security, Universiti Putra Malaysia , Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Ushine N, Kurata O, Tanaka Y, Sato T, Kurahashi Y, Hayama SI. The effects of migration on the immunity of Black-Headed Gulls (Chroicocephalus ridibundus: Laridae). J Vet Med Sci 2020; 82:1619-1626. [PMID: 32963148 PMCID: PMC7719892 DOI: 10.1292/jvms.20-0339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In order to elucidate the relationship between migration period and immunity related to susceptibility, we conducted research on Black-headed gulls
(Chroicocephalus ridibundus). We captured 260 gulls and collected their peripheral blood. Their leukocyte (WBC) count, percentages of
heterophils (Het) and lymphocytes (Lym), heterophil and lymphocyte ratio (H/L ratio), and CD4 and CD8α expression levels (CD4 and CD8α, respectively) were
quantitatively analyzed over three migration periods (Autumn migration, Wintering, Spring migration). In Adult gulls, WBC counts and CD4 levels significantly
increased. Moreover, the Het and H/L ratio decreased from the Autumn migration to Wintering. Conversely, only WBC counts and CD4 levels measurements
significantly decreased from Wintering to Spring migration (P<0.05). The tested parameters of the Tokyo-bay population show a greater
significant difference than the measurements of immunity of the Mikawa-bay population. This study suggests that the migratory period has a negative effect on an
aspect of the immune system. Including the period-difference in the immune systems in the local population, it is necessary to investigate the relationship
between the ecology of migratory birds and their immunity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nana Ushine
- Laboratory of Wildlife Medicine, Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University, 1-7-1 Kyonan-cho, Musashino-shi, Tokyo 180-8602, Japan
| | - Osamu Kurata
- Laboratory of Aquatic Medicine, Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University, 1-7-1 Kyonan-cho, Musashino-shi, Tokyo 180-8602, Japan
| | - Yoshikazu Tanaka
- Laboratory of Veterinary Hygiene, Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University, 1-7-1 Kyonan-cho, Musashino-shi, Tokyo 180-8602, Japan
| | - Tatsuo Sato
- The Friends of the Gyotoku Bird Observatory NPO, 4-22-11 Fukuei, Ichikawa-shi, Chiba 272-0137, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Kurahashi
- Japanese Bird Banding Association, 115 Konoyama, Abiko, Chiba 270-1145, Japan
| | - Shin-Ichi Hayama
- Laboratory of Wildlife Medicine, Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University, 1-7-1 Kyonan-cho, Musashino-shi, Tokyo 180-8602, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Alaqil AA, Abbas AO, El-Beltagi HS, El-Atty HKA, Mehaisen GMK, Moustafa ES. Dietary Supplementation of Probiotic Lactobacillus acidophilus Modulates Cholesterol Levels, Immune Response, and Productive Performance of Laying Hens. Animals (Basel) 2020; 10:ani10091588. [PMID: 32899938 PMCID: PMC7552304 DOI: 10.3390/ani10091588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2020] [Revised: 09/02/2020] [Accepted: 09/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Chicken eggs provide a considerable source of high-quality nutrients for human food and health. However, egg consumption may harm some people for its high contents of cholesterol and association with cardiovascular disease risk. Therefore, we investigated the possible effect of using Lactobacillus acidophilus (LA) as a probiotic additive in the laying hens’ diets on lowering egg-yolk cholesterol and also evaluated the immune responses and the productive performance of laying hens. The obtained results display the ability of LA, when supplemented in hen diets, to decrease the plasma triglycerides and cholesterol levels and the liver and egg yolk cholesterols in the hen. The beneficial effects of LA were also explored on some important humoral and cell-mediated immune responses in the laying hens. These positive effects led to an improvement in the productive performance of laying hens. Therefore, dietary LA supplementation could be recommended as a nutritional strategy for commercial lower-cholesterol egg production in addition to positive impacts on the performance and health of laying hens. Abstract This study examines the effect of dietary supplementation with Lactobacillus acidophilus (LA) on the cholesterol levels, immune response, and productive performance of laying hens. A total of 216, 40-week-old, commercial Hy-Line brown chicken layers were randomly assigned into four treatment groups (18 birds × three replicates per group) and fed diet supplemented with 0 (control), 1 × 109, 21 × 109, and 31 × 109 colony forming units (CFUs) of Lactobacillus acidophilus (LA) per kg of feed for six consecutive weeks. Results show that plasma triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and total cholesterols became lesser, while high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol became higher in LA-supplemented groups compared to the control. In addition, a significant reduction occurred in the liver and egg yolk cholesterol by LA supplementation. Moreover, the immunological parameters including antibody titer against sheep red blood cells (SRBCs), phytohemagglutinin (PHA)-wattle swelling test, and T- & B-lymphocyte proliferation were enhanced in laying hens supplemented with LA compared to the control hens. While the heterophil to lymphocyte (H/L) ratio decreased with LA supplementation, indicating low stress conditions in the treated hens. These positive effects for LA were further reflected on the productive performance of laying hens and improved egg production, egg weight, egg mass, and feed efficiency. Our findings indicate that LA probiotic could be recommended in laying hens’ diets for lowering egg yolk cholesterol with positive impacts on health and performance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Abdulaziz A. Alaqil
- Department of Animal and Fish Production, College of Agricultural and Food Sciences, King Faisal University, P.O. Box 420, Al-Ahsa 31982, Saudi Arabia; (A.A.A.); (A.O.A.)
| | - Ahmed O. Abbas
- Department of Animal and Fish Production, College of Agricultural and Food Sciences, King Faisal University, P.O. Box 420, Al-Ahsa 31982, Saudi Arabia; (A.A.A.); (A.O.A.)
- Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University, Gamma St., Giza 12613, Egypt
| | - Hossam S. El-Beltagi
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, College of Agricultural and Food Sciences, King Faisal University, P.O. Box 420, Al-Ahsa 31982, Saudi Arabia;
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University, Gamma St., Giza 12613, Egypt
| | - Hanaa. K. Abd El-Atty
- Department of Poultry Breeding, Animal Production Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, Dokki, Giza 12611, Egypt;
| | - Gamal M. K. Mehaisen
- Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University, Gamma St., Giza 12613, Egypt
- Correspondence: (G.M.K.M.); (E.S.M.); Tel.: +20-122-6797270 (G.M.K.M.)
| | - Eman S. Moustafa
- Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University, Gamma St., Giza 12613, Egypt
- Correspondence: (G.M.K.M.); (E.S.M.); Tel.: +20-122-6797270 (G.M.K.M.)
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Effects of Dietary Inclusion of Seaweed, Heat Stress and Genetic Strain on Performance, Plasma Biochemical and Hematological Parameters in Laying Hens. Animals (Basel) 2020; 10:ani10091570. [PMID: 32899340 PMCID: PMC7552200 DOI: 10.3390/ani10091570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Revised: 08/28/2020] [Accepted: 08/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Prebiotics such as seaweeds have been proposed as positive influencers on hen health and productivity, including their response to stressors such as heat. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the effects of 3% red seaweed Chondrus crispus and 0.5% brown seaweed Ascophyllum nodosum supplements on the heat stress responses in two genetic strains of laying hens, Lohmann LSL-Lite (White) and Lohmann Brown-Lite (Brown). The short-term seaweed diet had little effect on blood characteristics, but long-term feeding affected several blood chemistry values. The seaweed supplement reduced the feed intake and improved the feed/egg efficiency in the short term, although did not consistently affect the long-term performance. Heat stress affected the leukocyte count and some plasma chemistry parameters, particularly in the Brown layer strain. Our results showed better production, feed efficiency and resistance to heat stress in the White layer strain, with significant liver enzyme changes in alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT). More research on the biological effects of seaweed supplementation is necessary to better understand its impacts on health and performance. Abstract This study was planned to investigate the effects of seaweed supplementation, genetic strain, heat stress and their interactions on laying hen performances, blood chemistry and hematology. In a short-term trial, laying hens of the two genetic lines Lohman LSL-Lite (White) and Lohman Brown-Lite (Brown) were supplemented with Chondrus crispus (CC) at 3% for 21 days, while a control group was not. In a long-term trial, the same two strains were assigned to control (0%), 3% red seaweed Chondrus crispus (CC) or 0.5% brown seaweed Ascophyllum nodosum (AN)-supplemented diets for 41 weeks, concluding with a four-week control or heat-stress period. The White hens displayed higher egg production and a lower feed/egg ratio. The short-term inclusion of CC significantly reduced the feed intake, weight gain and feed/egg ratio. The long-term seaweed intake affected the plasma albumin and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) (p < 0.05), and there were significant strain-heat stress interactions; heat stress in the Brown birds was associated with reduced protein, globulin and glucose and increased cholesterol and GGT levels and higher heterophil-to-lymphocyte (H/L) ratios (p < 0.05) in response to heat stress (p < 0.05). In conclusion, a long-term seaweed supplementation affected the plasma protein and enzyme profiles, yet had little effect on hen leukocyte counts and the overall performance.
Collapse
|
21
|
Sacchi R, Mangiacotti M, Scali S, Coladonato AJ, Pitoni S, Falaschi M, Zuffi MAL. Statistical methodology for the evaluation of leukocyte data in wild reptile populations: A case study with the common wall lizard (Podarcis muralis). PLoS One 2020; 15:e0237992. [PMID: 32845912 PMCID: PMC7449502 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0237992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2020] [Accepted: 08/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The leukocyte profile has the potential to be a reliable method to measure health conditions and stress in wild animals, but limitations occur because current knowledge on reference intervals is largely incomplete, especially because data come from studies on captive animals involving few individuals from single populations. Here we propose a general framework for achieving reliable leukocyte reference intervals, encompassing a set of internal and external factors, potentially affecting the leukogram. To do so, we present a systematic survey of the hematology of the common wall lizard, Podarcis muralis, involving 794 lizards from 54 populations over the whole geographic range of the species in Italy. Reference intervals for white blood cell (WBC) and leukocyte differential count were obtained by using linear mixed models in a Bayesian framework. The application of the procedure clearly showed that both internal (sex and size) and external (latitude and season) factors are a source of variation of leukocyte profile. Furthermore, the leukogram of common wall lizard has a strong variability among populations, which accounts for more than 50% of the whole variation. Consequently, some common assumptions used in studies on captive individuals are no longer supported in wild populations, namely, i) any group of individuals is a representative sample, ii) any population is representative of all others, iii) geographic clines do not occur over the species range, and iv) seasonal variation has limited effects. We encourage researchers aimed at the definition of leukocyte reference intervals for wild populations of reptiles to involve a large number of populations over a wide geographic range in ad hoc statistical models to disentangle local and geographic effects on leukocyte profile variation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Sacchi
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra e dell’Ambiente, Università degli Studi di Pavia, Pavia, Italy
- * E-mail:
| | - Marco Mangiacotti
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra e dell’Ambiente, Università degli Studi di Pavia, Pavia, Italy
- Museo di Storia Naturale di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | | | - Alan J. Coladonato
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra e dell’Ambiente, Università degli Studi di Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Silvia Pitoni
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra e dell’Ambiente, Università degli Studi di Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Mattia Falaschi
- Museo di Storia Naturale di Milano, Milano, Italy
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Politiche Ambientali, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | | |
Collapse
|
22
|
Sur S, Sharma A, Bhardwaj SK, Kumar V. Involvement of steroid and antioxidant pathways in spleen-mediated immunity in migratory birds. Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 2020; 250:110790. [PMID: 32800933 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2020.110790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2020] [Revised: 08/06/2020] [Accepted: 08/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The molecular underpinnings of the spleen-mediated immune functions during the period of heightened energetic needs in the year are not known in avian migrants. We investigated this, in Palearctic-Indian migratory male redheaded buntings, which exhibited vernal (spring) premigratory / early testicular maturation states under artificial long days. This was evidenced by increased dio2 and decreased dio3 mRNA expression in the hypothalamus, elevated levels of circulating corticosterone and testosterone, and enlarged testes in long-day-photostimulated birds, as compared to unstimulated controls under short days. The concomitant decrease in both mass and volume of the spleen, and increase in the heterophil/ lymphocyte ratio suggested the parallel innate immunity effects in photostimulated buntings. Importantly, we found increased mRNA expression of genes coding for the cytokines (il15 and il34), steroid receptors (nr3c2) and oxidative stress marker enzymes (gpx1 and sod1) in the spleen, suggesting the activation of both immune and antioxidant molecular pathways during the early photostimulated state. However, the splenic expressions of il1β, il6, tgfβ, ar and nos2 genes were not significantly different between long-day stimulated and short-day unstimulated birds. The negative correlation of plasma corticosterone levels with spleen mass further indicated a role of corticosterone in the modulation of the spleen function, probably via nr3c2 gene encoded mineralocorticoid receptors. These results suggest the activation of the spleen-mediated innate immunity in anticipation of the heightened energetic stress state of the photostimulated spring migratory/breeding period in migratory songbirds.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sayantan Sur
- Department of Zoology, University of Delhi, Delhi 110 007, India
| | - Aakansha Sharma
- Department of Zoology, University of Delhi, Delhi 110 007, India
| | | | - Vinod Kumar
- Department of Zoology, University of Delhi, Delhi 110 007, India.
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Rubika A, Luoto S, Krama T, Trakimas G, Rantala MJ, Moore FR, Skrinda I, Elferts D, Krams R, Contreras-Garduño J, Krams IA. Women's socioeconomic position in ontogeny is associated with improved immune function and lower stress, but not with height. Sci Rep 2020; 10:11517. [PMID: 32661326 PMCID: PMC7359344 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-68217-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2020] [Accepted: 06/11/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Immune function, height and resource accumulation comprise important life history traits in humans. Resource availability models arising from life history theory suggest that socioeconomic conditions influence immune function, growth and health status. In this study, we tested whether there are associations between family income during ontogeny, adult height, cortisol level and immune response in women. A hepatitis B vaccine was administered to 66 young Latvian women from different socioeconomic backgrounds, and blood samples were then collected to measure the level of antibodies that the women produced in response to the vaccination. Cortisol levels were measured from plasma samples pre- and post-vaccination. Women from wealthier families had lower cortisol levels, and women from the highest family income group had the highest levels of antibody titers against hepatitis B vaccine. No significant relationships were observed between cortisol level and immune function, nor between family income and height. The results show that income level during ontogeny is associated with the strength of immune response and with psychoneuroendocrine pathways underlying stress perception in early adulthood. The findings indicate that the quality of the developmental niche is associated with the condition-dependent expression of immune function and stress response.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Rubika
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Daugavpils University, Daugavpils, 5401, Latvia
| | - Severi Luoto
- English, Drama and Writing Studies, University of Auckland, Auckland, 1010, New Zealand
- School of Psychology, University of Auckland, Auckland, 1010, New Zealand
| | - Tatjana Krama
- Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, 51010, Tartu, Estonia
- Chair of Plant Health, Estonian University of Life Sciences, 51014, Tartu, Estonia
- Department of Biotechnology, Daugavpils University, Daugavpils, 5401, Latvia
| | - Giedrius Trakimas
- Department of Biotechnology, Daugavpils University, Daugavpils, 5401, Latvia
- Institute of Biosciences, Vilnius University, 10257, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Markus J Rantala
- Department of Biology, University of Turku, 20014, Turku, Finland
- Turku Brain and Mind Centre, University of Turku, 20014, Turku, Finland
| | - Fhionna R Moore
- College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Ilona Skrinda
- Daugavpils Regional Hospital, Daugavpils, 5417, Latvia
| | - Didzis Elferts
- Department of Botany and Ecology, Faculty of Biology, University of Latvia, Rīga, 1004, Latvia
| | - Ronalds Krams
- Chair of Plant Health, Estonian University of Life Sciences, 51014, Tartu, Estonia
- Department of Biotechnology, Daugavpils University, Daugavpils, 5401, Latvia
| | - Jorge Contreras-Garduño
- Escuela Nacional de Estudios Superiores Unidad Morelia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 58190, Morelia, Mexico
| | - Indrikis A Krams
- Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, 51010, Tartu, Estonia.
- Department of Biotechnology, Daugavpils University, Daugavpils, 5401, Latvia.
- Department of Zoology and Animal Ecology, Faculty of Biology, University of Latvia, Rīga, 1004, Latvia.
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Rīga, 1067, Latvia.
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Ushine N, Nakayama SMM, Ishizuka M, Sato T, Kurahashi Y, Wakayama E, Sugiura N, Hayama SI. Relationship between blood test values and blood lead (Pb) levels in Black-headed gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus: Laridae). J Vet Med Sci 2020; 82:1124-1129. [PMID: 32565496 PMCID: PMC7468077 DOI: 10.1292/jvms.20-0246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Few studies have evaluated immunosuppression due to lead accumulation below the overt
toxicity threshold. If low levels of lead accumulation cause immunosuppression in birds,
those birds could become more susceptible to pathogens. We aimed to determine if low
levels of lead accumulation lead to immunosuppression in Black-headed gulls
(Chroicocephalus ridibundus). Gulls were captured in Tokyo-bay and
Mikawa-bay from January to April 2019. Their blood samples were analyzed for eight items.
The data were analyzed to evaluate the correlation between lead concentrations and the
variables from each bay. Lead was positively correlated with the percentage of heterophils
and heterophil and lymphocyte ratio and negatively with lymphocytes. Thus, low lead
accumulation levels may induce changes in percentage of the heterophils and
lymphocyte.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nana Ushine
- Laboratory of Wildlife Medicine, Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University, 1-7-1 Kyonan-cho, Musashino-shi, Tokyo 180-8602, Japan
| | - Shouta M M Nakayama
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Environmental Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Kita 18, Nishi 9, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0818, Japan
| | - Mayumi Ishizuka
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Environmental Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Kita 18, Nishi 9, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0818, Japan
| | - Tatsuo Sato
- The Friends of the Gyotoku Bird Observatory NPO, 4-22-11 Fukuei, Ichikawa-shi, Chiba 272-0137, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Kurahashi
- Japanese Bird Banding Association, 115 Konoyama, Abiko-shi, Chiba 277-1145, Japan
| | - Emu Wakayama
- Laboratory of Wildlife Medicine, Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University, 1-7-1 Kyonan-cho, Musashino-shi, Tokyo 180-8602, Japan
| | - Natsuko Sugiura
- Laboratory of Wildlife Medicine, Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University, 1-7-1 Kyonan-cho, Musashino-shi, Tokyo 180-8602, Japan
| | - Shin-Ichi Hayama
- Laboratory of Wildlife Medicine, Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University, 1-7-1 Kyonan-cho, Musashino-shi, Tokyo 180-8602, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Ibáñez-Álamo JD, Jimeno B, Gil D, Thomson RL, Aguirre JI, Díez-Fernández A, Faivre B, Tieleman BI, Figuerola J. Physiological stress does not increase with urbanization in European blackbirds: Evidence from hormonal, immunological and cellular indicators. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 721:137332. [PMID: 32169634 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.137332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2019] [Revised: 02/11/2020] [Accepted: 02/13/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Urbanization changes the landscape structure and ecological processes of natural habitats. While urban areas expose animal communities to novel challenges, they may also provide more stable environments in which environmental fluctuations are buffered. Species´ ecology and physiology may determine their capacity to cope with the city life. However, the physiological mechanisms underlying organismal responses to urbanization, and whether different physiological systems are equally affected by urban environments remain poorly understood. This severely limits our capacity to predict the impact of anthropogenic habitats on wild populations. In this study, we measured indicators of physiological stress at the endocrine, immune and cellular level (feather corticosterone levels, heterophil to lymphocyte ratio, and heat-shock proteins) in urban and non-urban European blackbirds (Turdus merula) across 10 European populations. Among the three variables, we found consistent differences in feather corticosterone, which was higher in non-urban habitats. This effect seems to be dependent on sex, being greater in males. In contrast, we found no significant differences between urban and non-urban habitats in the two other physiological indicators. The discrepancy between these different measurements of physiological stress highlights the importance of including multiple physiological variables to understand the impact of urbanization on species' physiology. Overall, our findings suggest that adult European blackbirds living in urban and non-urban habitats do not differ in terms of physiological stress at an organismal level. Furthermore, we found large differences among populations on the strength and direction of the urbanization effect, which illustrates the relevance of spatial replication when investigating urban-induced physiological responses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Juan Diego Ibáñez-Álamo
- Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands; Department of Wetland Ecology, Estación Biológica de Doñana, (EBD-CSIC), Seville, Spain.
| | - Blanca Jimeno
- Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Diego Gil
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, (MNCN-CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Robert L Thomson
- FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology, DST-NRF Centre of Excellence, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; Section of Ecology, Department of Biology, University of Turku, Finland
| | - José I Aguirre
- Departmento de Zoología y Antropología Física, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Alazne Díez-Fernández
- Department of Wetland Ecology, Estación Biológica de Doñana, (EBD-CSIC), Seville, Spain
| | - Bruno Faivre
- UMR CNRS Biogéosciences, Université de Bourgogne Franche-Comté, Dijon, France
| | - B Irene Tieleman
- Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Jordi Figuerola
- Department of Wetland Ecology, Estación Biológica de Doñana, (EBD-CSIC), Seville, Spain; CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Publica (CIBERESP), Seville, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Bale NM, Leon AE, Hawley DM. Differential house finch leukocyte profiles during experimental infection with Mycoplasma gallisepticum isolates of varying virulence. Avian Pathol 2020; 49:342-354. [PMID: 32270701 DOI: 10.1080/03079457.2020.1753652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Leukocyte differentials are a useful tool for assessing systemic immunological changes during pathogen infections, particularly for non-model species. To date, no study has explored how experimental infection with a common bacterial pathogen, Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG), influences the course and strength of haematological changes in the natural songbird host, house finches. Here we experimentally inoculated house finches with MG isolates known to vary in virulence, and quantified the proportions of circulating leukocytes over the entirety of infection. First, we found significant temporal effects of MG infection on the proportions of most cell types, with strong increases in heterophil and monocyte proportions during infection. Marked decreases in lymphocyte proportions also occurred during infection, though these proportional changes may simply be driven by correlated increases in other leukocytes. Second, we found significant effects of isolate virulence, with the strongest changes in cell proportions occurring in birds inoculated with the higher virulence isolates, and almost no detectable changes relative to sham treatment groups in birds inoculated with the lowest virulence isolate. Finally, we found that variation in infection severity positively predicted the proportion of circulating heterophils and lymphocytes, but the strength of these correlations was dependent on isolate. Taken together, these results indicate strong haematological changes in house finches during MG infection, with markedly different responses to MG isolates of varying virulence. These results are consistent with the possibility that evolved virulence in house finch MG results in higher degrees of immune stimulation and associated immunopathology, with potential direct benefits for MG transmission. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS House finches show a marked pro-inflammatory response to M. gallisepticum infection. Virulent pathogen isolates produce stronger finch white blood cell responses. Among birds, stronger white blood cell responses are associated with higher infection severity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Natalie M Bale
- Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Ariel E Leon
- Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Dana M Hawley
- Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Brusch GA, Mills AM, Walman RM, Masuda G, Byeon A, DeNardo DF, Stahlschmidt ZR. Dehydration enhances cellular and humoral immunity in a mesic snake community. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL ZOOLOGY PART 2020; 333:306-315. [PMID: 32277742 DOI: 10.1002/jez.2358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2020] [Accepted: 03/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The immunocompetence of a community of free-living animals can be affected by seasonality, sex, and parasite burden. However, each of these factors is often examined independently. Recent studies have also found that dehydration can enhance aspects of immunocompetence in drought-adapted species. To explore how all of these factors interact, and their effect on the immune system in mesic-adapted species, we collected blood samples from a community of free-ranging snakes in coastal South Carolina, United States, across 2 years. We specifically examined (a) how sex and seasonality influence humoral and cellular immunocompetence and parasite burden, (b) the dynamics among hydration state, parasite burden, and immunocompetence, and (c) whether mesic-adapted species also show enhanced innate immunity with dehydration. Consistent with previous work on drought-adapted species, we found that dehydration enhances multiple aspects of humoral immunity in mesic species, and we are the first to report that dehydration also enhances aspects of cellular immunocompetence. Contrary to previous results in other squamates, sex and season did not impact immunocompetence or parasite prevalence. Our results also reveal complex interactions among parasite prevalence, immunocompetence, and hydration state demonstrating that hydration state and parasitism are two ubiquitous factors that should continue to be considered in future studies examining ecoimmunological variation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- George A Brusch
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona.,Centre d'Etudies Biologiques de Chizé, CNRS, Villiers en Bois, France
| | | | | | - Garrett Masuda
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of the Pacific, Stockton, California
| | - Andy Byeon
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of the Pacific, Stockton, California
| | - Dale F DeNardo
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona
| | | |
Collapse
|
28
|
Berg ML, Knott B, Ribot RFH, Buchanan KL, Bennett ATD. Do glucocorticoids or carotenoids mediate plumage coloration in parrots? An experiment in Platycercus elegans. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2019; 280:82-90. [PMID: 31002829 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2019.04.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2018] [Revised: 04/10/2019] [Accepted: 04/15/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Conspicuous coloration can indicate phenotypic quality, and may reflect exposure or vulnerability to stress, or access to essential nutrients such as pigments. Although the production of pigmented colours is well understood, much less is known about how structural colours are affected by physiological state. In this study, we tested whether glucocorticoids (corticosterone) predicted expression of plumage coloration in an Australian parrot, the crimson rosella (Platycercus elegans). Parrots provide an interesting and unique test, as they possess conspicuous coloration produced by distinctive pigments known as psittacofulvins, in addition to structural coloration. We have previously documented that coloration in P. elegans is condition-dependent and responds to dietary manipulation. Here, n = 21 P. elegans underwent a dietary manipulation (including food restriction or carotenoid supplementation) during which they moulted, and the change in reflectance was measured for three structural and three pigmentary plumage patches. Stress-induced corticosterone (10 min after handling) measured at the start of the experiment predicted change in coloration in two pigmentary patches (crown and front). We also found that change in stress-induced corticosterone during the experiment was associated with the change in coloration of the crown and two structural patches (cheek and epaulette). Baseline corticosterone (<3 min after handling) was not associated with any measure of coloration. We found no effects of dietary manipulation on baseline or stress-induced corticosterone, but carotenoid supplementation was associated with an increase in a measure of chronic stress (heterophil/lymphocyte ratio), and the corticosterone response to handling decreased over the course of the study. Our results suggest that corticosterone may be linked to colour expression more broadly than previously recognised, including psittacofulvin and structural coloration in parrots, and they confirm the independence of plumage pigmentation in parrots from carotenoid accumulation. Moreover, our study provides new insight into the stress responses of Psittaciformes, one of the most highly threatened avian orders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mathew L Berg
- Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Australia; School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, United Kingdom.
| | - Ben Knott
- Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Australia; School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Raoul F H Ribot
- Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Australia; School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Katherine L Buchanan
- Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Australia; School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew T D Bennett
- Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Australia; School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Feeling the heat: Extreme temperatures compromise constitutive innate humoral immunity and skin color in a desert dwelling lizard. J Therm Biol 2019; 83:142-149. [PMID: 31331512 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtherbio.2019.05.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2018] [Revised: 04/30/2019] [Accepted: 05/18/2019] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Environmental temperature, particularly in habitats with extreme temperature fluctuations, may shape selection pressures on life history traits. Especially in ectotherms, temperature affects performance, physiology, and in some species, skin color. Skin color can be a sexual ornament signaling the bearer's ability to resist infections, when only high-quality individuals are able to invest both in high immune defense and elaborate ornament expression. However, how the information content of these sexual traits may vary with environmental conditions has been less studied. Dickerson's collared lizard (Crotaphytus dickersonae) males are blue and have a black and white collar. This conspicuous coloration signals performance and immune response, and is related to body temperature. Here, by maintaining males at higher, lower, and mean environmental temperatures we evaluated whether temperature variation influences color and constitutive innate humoral immunity (agglutination and lysis titers, estimated through hemolysis-hemagglutination assays), and whether extreme temperatures impose trade-offs between color and humoral immunity. We found that at low and high temperature treatments males had lower agglutination and lysis titers, and at low temperature, blue chroma from the dorsum declined and males became greener. Interestingly, at low and control temperature treatments, agglutination titer and blue coloration were positively correlated, whereas high temperatures revealed a trade-off between increasing agglutination titers and displaying bluer skin color. Our results suggest that in the Dickerson collared lizard even short-term variation of environmental temperature affects performance of constitutive innate humoral immunity and the brilliant blue skin color. Particularly, high temperatures may compromise some components of male's immunity and sexual signaling.
Collapse
|
30
|
Erythrocytes nuclear abnormalities and leukocyte profile of the immune system of Adélie penguins (Pygoscelis adeliae) breeding at Edmonson Point, Ross Sea, Antarctica. Polar Biol 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s00300-019-02522-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
|
31
|
Neuman-Lee LA, Van Wettere AJ, French SS. Interrelations among Multiple Metrics of Immune and Physiological Function in a Squamate, the Common Gartersnake (Thamnophis sirtalis). Physiol Biochem Zool 2019; 92:12-23. [PMID: 30403915 DOI: 10.1086/700396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
The field of ecoimmunology has made it clear that individual and ecological contexts are critical for interpreting an animal's immune response. In an effort to better understand the relevance of commonly used immunological assays, we tested how different metrics of immunity and physiological function were interrelated in naturally parasitized individuals of a well-studied reptile, the common gartersnake (Thamnophis sirtalis). Overall, we found that bactericidal ability, an integrative measure of innate immunity, was often correlated with more specific immunological and physiological tests (lysis and oxidative stress) but was not related to tissue-level inflammation that was determined by histopathology. The only hematological metric that correlated with tissue-level inflammation was the prevalence of monocytes in blood smears. Finally, using histological techniques, we describe natural parasitism throughout the organ systems in these individuals, finding that neither the presence nor the burden of parasite load affected the physiological and immune metrics that we measured. By performing comprehensive assessments of physiological and immune processes, we are better able to draw conclusions about how to interpret findings from specific assays in wild organisms.
Collapse
|
32
|
Roast MJ, Aulsebrook AE, Fan M, Hidalgo Aranzamendi N, Teunissen N, Peters A. Short-Term Climate Variation Drives Baseline Innate Immune Function and Stress in a Tropical Bird: A Reactive Scope Perspective. Physiol Biochem Zool 2019; 92:140-151. [PMID: 30689489 DOI: 10.1086/702310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Investment in immune function can be costly, and life-history theory predicts trade-offs between immune function and other physiological demands. Environmental heterogeneity may constrain or change the optimal strategy and thereby alter baseline immune function (possibly mediated by stress responses). We tested several hypotheses relating variation in climatic, ecological, and social environments to chronic stress and levels of baseline innate immunity in a wild, cooperatively breeding bird, the purple-crowned fairy-wren (Malurus coronatus coronatus). From samples collected biannually over 5 yr, we quantified three indexes of constitutive innate immune function (haptoglobin/PIT54, natural antibodies, complement activity) and one index of chronic stress (heterophil-lymphocyte ratio; <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"><mml:mrow><mml:mi>n</mml:mi><mml:mo>=</mml:mo><mml:mn>513</mml:mn><mml:mtext>-</mml:mtext><mml:mn>647</mml:mn></mml:mrow></mml:math> ). Using an information-theoretic and multimodel inference statistical approach, we found that habitat quality and social group size did not affect any immune index, despite hypothesized links to resource abundance and parasite pressure. Rather, short-term variation in temperature and rainfall was related to immune function, while overall differences between seasons were small or absent, despite substantial seasonal variation in climate. Contrary to our expectation, we found no evidence that physiological stress mediated any effects of short-term climatic variables on immune indexes, and alternative mechanisms may be involved. Our results may be interpreted from the perspective of reactive scope models, whereby predictive homeostasis maintains standing immune function relative to long-term demands, while short-term environmental change, being less predictable, has a greater influence on baseline immune function.
Collapse
|
33
|
Minias P. Evolution of heterophil/lymphocyte ratios in response to ecological and life‐history traits: A comparative analysis across the avian tree of life. J Anim Ecol 2019; 88:554-565. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.12941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2018] [Accepted: 11/13/2018] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Piotr Minias
- Department of Biodiversity Studies and BioeducationFaculty of Biology and Environmental ProtectionUniversity of Łódź Łódź Poland
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Age-dependent effects of predation risk on night-time hypothermia in two wintering passerine species. Oecologia 2019; 189:329-337. [PMID: 30607504 PMCID: PMC6394671 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-018-04331-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2018] [Accepted: 12/20/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Small animals that winter at northern latitudes need to maximize energy intake and minimize energy loss. Many passerine birds use night-time hypothermia to conserve energy. A potential cost of night-time hypothermia with much theoretical (but little empirical) support is increased risk of night-time predation, due to reduced vigilance and lower escape speed in hypothermic birds. This idea has never been tested in the wild. We, therefore, increased perceived predation risk in great tits (Parus major) and blue tits (Cyanistes caeruleus) roosting in nest boxes during cold winter nights to measure any resultant effect on their use of night-time hypothermia. Roosting birds of both species that experienced their first winter were less prone to use hypothermia as an energy-saving strategy at low ambient temperatures when exposed to increased perceived predation risk either via handling (great tits) or via predator scent manipulation (blue tits). However, we did not record such effects in birds that were in their second winter or beyond. Our results suggest that effects of increased predation risk are age- and temperature specific. This could be caused by age-related differences in experience and subsequent risk assessment, or by dominance-related variation in habitat quality between young and old birds. Predation risk could, through its effect on use and depth of night-time hypothermia, be important for total energy management and winter survival for resident birds at northern latitudes.
Collapse
|
35
|
Grzędzicka E. Impact of rainfall on the offspring PHA‐response and body mass in the Eurasian blue tit. Ecol Res 2018. [DOI: 10.1111/1440-1703.1005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Emilia Grzędzicka
- Institute of Environmental Sciences Jagiellonian University Kraków Poland
- Institute of Nature Conservation Polish Academy of Sciences Kraków Poland
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Cabrera-Martinez LV, Herrera M LG, Cruz-Neto AP. Food restriction, but not seasonality, modulates the acute phase response of a Neotropical bat. Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 2018; 229:93-100. [PMID: 30553882 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2018.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2018] [Revised: 12/05/2018] [Accepted: 12/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Season and food intake are known to affect immune response of vertebrates yet their effects on metabolic rate have been rarely explored. We tested the effect of season and acute food restriction and their interaction on the energetic cost of immune response activation of a tropical vertebrate, the Seba's short-tailed fruit bat (Carollia perspicillata). We specifically stimulated the acute phase response (APR) with bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to measure metabolic changes along with changes in body temperature (Tb), body mass (Mb), white blood cell counts and the Neutrophil/Lymphocyte ratio (N/L). We found no effect of season on the different factors associated to the activation of the APR. In contrast to our expectations, unfed bats reached similar Tb increments and RMR peak values and had higher RMR scope values and higher caloric costs than fed bats after LPS injection. However, food deprivation led to delayed metabolic response indicated by longer time required to reach peak RMR values in unfed bats. Both food-deprived and fed bats did not present leukocytosis after APR activation and their WBC counts were similar, but unfed bats had a significant increase of N/L. APR activation represented a small fraction of the bat daily energy requirements which might explain why unfed bats were not limited to mount a metabolic response. Our study adds to recent evidence showing that activating the innate immune system is not an energetically expensive process for plant-eating bats.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lucía V Cabrera-Martinez
- Pós-graduação no programa de Zoologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista Julho de Mesquita Filho, Rio Claro, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - L Gerardo Herrera M
- Estación de Biología Chamela, Instituto de Biología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apartado Postal 21, San Patricio, Jalisco 48980, Mexico.
| | - Ariovaldo P Cruz-Neto
- Departamento de Zoologia, Instituto de Biociências Universidade Estadual Paulista Julho de Mesquita Filho, Rio Claro, São Paulo, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Conner England J, Levengood JM, Osborn JM, Yetter AP, Suski CD, Cole RA, Hagy HM. Associations of intestinal helminth infections with health parameters of spring-migrating female lesser scaup (Aythya affinis) in the upper Midwest, USA. Parasitol Res 2018; 117:1877-1890. [PMID: 29696395 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-018-5879-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2017] [Accepted: 04/16/2018] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Thousands of lesser scaup (Aythya affinis) die during spring and fall migrations through the upper Midwest, USA, from infections with Cyathocotyle bushiensis and Sphaeridiotrema spp. (Class: Trematoda) after ingesting infected intermediate hosts, such as non-native faucet snails (Bithynia tentaculata). The lesser scaup is a species of conservation concern and is highly susceptible to these infections. We collected female lesser scaup from spring migratory stopover locations throughout Illinois and Wisconsin and assessed biochemical and morphological indicators of health in relation to intestinal helminth loads. Helminth species diversity, total trematode abundance, and the infection intensities of the trematodes C. bushiensis and Sphaeridiotrema spp. were associated with percent body fat, blood metabolites, hematological measures, and an index of foraging habitat quality. Helminth diversity was negatively associated with percent body fat, albumin concentrations, and monocytes, whereas glucose concentrations displayed a slight, positive association. Total trematode abundance was negatively associated with blood concentrations of non-esterified fatty acids and albumin. Infections of C. bushiensis were positively related to basophil levels, whereas Sphaeridiotrema spp. infection intensity was negatively associated with packed cell volume and foraging habitat quality. Thus, commonly measured health metrics may indicate intestinal parasite infections and help waterfowl managers understand overall habitat quality. Intestinal parasitic loads offer another plausible mechanism underlying the spring condition hypothesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J Conner England
- Frank C. Bellrose Waterfowl Research Center, Forbes Biological Station, Illinois Natural History Survey, Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, 20003 CR 1770E, Havana, IL, 62644, USA.
| | - Jeffrey M Levengood
- Illinois Natural History Survey, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1816 S. Oak St, Champaign, Illinois, 61820, USA
| | - Josh M Osborn
- Frank C. Bellrose Waterfowl Research Center, Forbes Biological Station, Illinois Natural History Survey, Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, 20003 CR 1770E, Havana, IL, 62644, USA
| | - Aaron P Yetter
- Frank C. Bellrose Waterfowl Research Center, Forbes Biological Station, Illinois Natural History Survey, Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, 20003 CR 1770E, Havana, IL, 62644, USA
| | - Cory D Suski
- Illinois Natural History Survey, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1816 S. Oak St, Champaign, Illinois, 61820, USA
| | - Rebecca A Cole
- US Geological Survey-National Wildlife Health Center, 6006 Schroeder Rd, Madison, Wisconsin, 53711, USA
| | - Heath M Hagy
- Frank C. Bellrose Waterfowl Research Center, Forbes Biological Station, Illinois Natural History Survey, Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, 20003 CR 1770E, Havana, IL, 62644, USA.,United States Fish and Wildlife Service, 6772 Highway 76S, Stanton, Tennessee, 38069, USA
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Kerimov AB, Ilyina TA, Ivankina EV, Bushuev AV, Sokolova OV, Rogovin KA. Melanin-based coloration and immunity in polymorphic population of pied flycatcher, Ficedula hypoleuca. Evol Ecol 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/s10682-017-9926-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
|
39
|
Krams IA, Kecko S, Jõers P, Trakimas G, Elferts D, Krams R, Luoto S, Rantala MJ, Inashkina I, Gudrā D, Fridmanis D, Contreras-Garduño J, Grantiņa-Ieviņa L, Krama T. Microbiome symbionts and diet diversity incur costs on the immune system of insect larvae. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017; 220:4204-4212. [PMID: 28939559 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.169227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2017] [Accepted: 09/15/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Communities of symbiotic microorganisms that colonize the gastrointestinal tract play an important role in food digestion and protection against opportunistic microbes. Diet diversity increases the number of symbionts in the intestines, a benefit that is considered to impose no cost for the host organism. However, less is known about the possible immunological investments that hosts have to make in order to control the infections caused by symbiont populations that increase because of diet diversity. Using taxonomical composition analysis of the 16S rRNA V3 region, we show that enterococci are the dominating group of bacteria in the midgut of the larvae of the greater wax moth (Galleria mellonella). We found that the number of colony-forming units of enterococci and expressions of certain immunity-related antimicrobial peptide (AMP) genes such as Gallerimycin, Gloverin, 6-tox, Cecropin-D and Galiomicin increased in response to a more diverse diet, which in turn decreased the encapsulation response of the larvae. Treatment with antibiotics significantly lowered the expression of all AMP genes. Diet and antibiotic treatment interaction did not affect the expression of Gloverin and Galiomicin AMP genes, but significantly influenced the expression of Gallerimycin, 6-tox and Cecropin-D Taken together, our results suggest that diet diversity influences microbiome diversity and AMP gene expression, ultimately affecting an organism's capacity to mount an immune response. Elevated basal levels of immunity-related genes (Gloverin and Galiomicin) might act as a prophylactic against opportunistic infections and as a mechanism that controls the gut symbionts. This would indicate that a diverse diet imposes higher immunity costs on organisms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Indrikis A Krams
- Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, 51014 Tartu, Estonia .,Department of Zoology and Animal Ecology, Faculty of Biology, University of Latvia, 1004 Rīga, Latvia.,University of Tennessee, Department of Psychology, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA
| | - Sanita Kecko
- Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Life Sciences and Technology, Daugavpils University, 5401 Daugavpils, Latvia
| | - Priit Jõers
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Tartu, 51014 Tartu, Estonia
| | - Giedrius Trakimas
- Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Life Sciences and Technology, Daugavpils University, 5401 Daugavpils, Latvia.,Institute of Biosciences, Vilnius University, 10257 Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Didzis Elferts
- Department of Botany and Ecology, Faculty of Biology, University of Latvia, 1004 Rīga, Latvia
| | - Ronalds Krams
- Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Life Sciences and Technology, Daugavpils University, 5401 Daugavpils, Latvia
| | - Severi Luoto
- English, Drama and Writing Studies, University of Auckland, Auckland 1010, New Zealand.,School of Psychology, University of Auckland, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
| | - Markus J Rantala
- Department of Biology & Turku Brain and Mind Centre, University of Turku, Turku 20014, Finland
| | - Inna Inashkina
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, 1067 Riga, Latvia
| | - Dita Gudrā
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, 1067 Riga, Latvia
| | | | - Jorge Contreras-Garduño
- Ecuela Nacional de Estudios Superiores Unidad Morelia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Morelia 58190, Mexico
| | | | - Tatjana Krama
- Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Life Sciences and Technology, Daugavpils University, 5401 Daugavpils, Latvia.,Department of Plant Protection, Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Estonian University of Life Science, 51014 Tartu, Estonia
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Lukasch B, Westerdahl H, Strandh M, Winkler H, Moodley Y, Knauer F, Hoi H. Genes of the major histocompatibility complex highlight interactions of the innate and adaptive immune system. PeerJ 2017; 5:e3679. [PMID: 28875066 PMCID: PMC5581531 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.3679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2017] [Accepted: 07/22/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background A well-functioning immune defence is crucial for fitness, but our knowledge about the immune system and its complex interactions is still limited. Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules are involved in T-cell mediated adaptive immune responses, but MHC is also highly upregulated during the initial innate immune response. The aim of our study was therefore to determine to what extent the highly polymorphic MHC is involved in interactions of the innate and adaptive immune defence and if specific functional MHC alleles (FA) or heterozygosity at the MHC are more important. Methods To do this we used captive house sparrows (Passer domesticus) to survey MHC diversity and immune function controlling for several environmental factors. MHC class I alleles were identified using parallel amplicon sequencing and to mirror immune function, several immunological tests that correspond to the innate and adaptive immunity were conducted. Results Our results reveal that MHC was linked to all immune tests, highlighting its importance for the immune defence. While all innate responses were associated with one single FA, adaptive responses (cell-mediated and humoral) were associated with several different alleles. Discussion We found that repeated injections of an antibody in nestlings and adults were linked to different FA and hence might affect different areas of the immune system. Also, individuals with a higher number of different FA produced a smaller secondary response, indicating a disadvantage of having numerous MHC alleles. These results demonstrate the complexity of the immune system in relation to the MHC and lay the foundation for other studies to further investigate this topic.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Lukasch
- Department of Integrative Biology and Evolution, Konrad Lorenz Institute of Ethology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Helena Westerdahl
- Department of Biology, Molecular Ecology & Evolution Lab, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Maria Strandh
- Department of Biology, Molecular Ecology & Evolution Lab, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Hans Winkler
- Department of Integrative Biology and Evolution, Konrad Lorenz Institute of Ethology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Yoshan Moodley
- Department of Integrative Biology and Evolution, Konrad Lorenz Institute of Ethology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria.,Department of Zoology, University of Venda, Thohoyandou, Republic of South Africa
| | - Felix Knauer
- Department of Integrative Biology and Evolution, Research Institute of Wildlife Ecology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Herbert Hoi
- Department of Integrative Biology and Evolution, Konrad Lorenz Institute of Ethology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Grzędzicka E. Immune challenge of female great tits at nests affects provisioning and body conditions of their offspring. Acta Ethol 2017; 20:223-233. [PMID: 28955122 PMCID: PMC5591367 DOI: 10.1007/s10211-017-0265-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2016] [Revised: 05/10/2017] [Accepted: 05/15/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The trade-off between animal’s parental reproductive effort and survival is still poorly understood. Parental allocation between the workload during breeding attempts and the parents’ own body conditions can be assessed through the offspring quality. Here, I questioned whether the immune responsiveness of female great tits may be considered as a mediator of this trade-off. Specifically, I tested whether (1) the parental reproductive effort decreases, (2) the food composition provided to chicks changes, and (3) whether the nestling immunocompetence and body mass decrease after experimental immunisation. Two populations of great tit Parus major occupying nest boxes were studied in Niepołomice Forest and Krzyszkowice Forest (Southern Poland) in 2011 and 2012, respectively. Three days after hatching, half of the females were challenged with sheep red blood cells (SRBC), while other females were injected with phosphate-buffered saline PBS (control). Six days later, food provided by the parents was collected from nestlings. After another 2 days, the offspring’s body mass was measured and wing web swelling in response to an additional phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) injection. In both years, immunocompetence and in 2012 also body mass in the offspring of SRBC-immunised mothers were lower than in control nestlings, indicating a cost of mounting the immune response in the female. Six days after the start of the female treatment, the number of caterpillars and the volume of food items provided by parents to chicks were higher, whereas the number of spiders was lower in nests with SRBC treatment than in control ones. This might be explained by compensational parental feeding after recovery from the inflammation of a female. Thus, the trade-off between parental effort and survival of parents is mediated by the costs incurred for their immunity and can be assessed by the amount and quality of food provided to the nestlings and the offspring condition.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emilia Grzędzicka
- Institute of Environmental Sciences, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa Street 7, 30-387 Kraków, Poland.,Institute of Nature Conservation, Polish Academy of Sciences, Al. Mickiewicza 33, 31-120 Kraków, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Krams IA, Rumvolt K, Saks L, Krams R, Elferts D, Vrublevska J, Rantala MJ, Kecko S, Cīrule D, Luoto S, Krama T. Reproduction compromises adaptive immunity in a cyprinid fish. Ecol Res 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/s11284-017-1467-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
|
43
|
Schmitt C, Garant D, Bélisle M, Pelletier F. Agricultural Intensification Is Linked to Constitutive Innate Immune Function in a Wild Bird Population. Physiol Biochem Zool 2017; 90:201-209. [DOI: 10.1086/689679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
|
44
|
Why fly the extra mile? Using stress biomarkers to assess wintering habitat quality in migratory shorebirds. Oecologia 2016; 182:385-95. [DOI: 10.1007/s00442-016-3679-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2015] [Accepted: 06/13/2016] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
|
45
|
Littlefair JE, Laughton AM, Knell RJ. Maternal pathogen exposure causes diet- and pathogen-specific transgenerational costs. OIKOS 2016. [DOI: 10.1111/oik.03430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Joanne E. Littlefair
- School of Biological and Chemical Sciences; Queen Mary Univ. of London; Fogg Building, Mile End Road London E1 4NS UK
| | - Alice M. Laughton
- School of Biological and Chemical Sciences; Queen Mary Univ. of London; Fogg Building, Mile End Road London E1 4NS UK
| | - Robert J. Knell
- School of Biological and Chemical Sciences; Queen Mary Univ. of London; Fogg Building, Mile End Road London E1 4NS UK
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Bajpai SK, Das A, Saini M, Kullu SS, Sharma AK. Influence of dietary protein on serum metabolites and antioxidant status: A study in Chrysolophus amherstiae. Zoo Biol 2016; 35:346-54. [PMID: 27186655 DOI: 10.1002/zoo.21294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2015] [Revised: 04/22/2016] [Accepted: 05/02/2016] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
This experiment was conducted to study the effect of feeding graded levels of dietary crude protein (CP) on serum biochemical profile of Lady Amherst's pheasants (LAP). Eighteen male LAP were randomly distributed into three groups of six each in an experiment based on completely randomized design. The CP content of the diets was 13.4%, 16.5%, and 19.1%, in groups I, II, and III, respectively. Serum concentrations of uric acid was lowest (P < 0.05) in group I. Relationship between serum concentration of uric acid and nitrogen intake was linear (R(2) = 0.39, P < 0.01). Concentrations of other serum metabolites and enzymes were similar among the groups. Serum concentration of triiodothyronine (T3 ) was highest (P < 0.05) in group I, followed by groups II and III. Total antioxidant capacity (TAC) of serum was lower (P < 0.007), whereas serum concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA) was higher (P < 0.001) in group I as compared to groups II and III. Regression of serum concentration of TAC (R(2) = 0.74, P < 0.01) and MDA (R(2) = 0.39, P < 0.05) was polynomial. Heterophil to lymphocyte ratio was higher (P < 0.007) in group I as compared to groups II and III. Relationship between H/L ratio and nitrogen intake was polynomial (R(2) = 0.69, P < 0.05). Cell mediated immune response measured as foot web index was similar among the groups. Based upon the results, it was concluded that a diet containing 16.5% crude protein would be optimum for improving antioxidant defense and the ability of Lady Amherst's pheasant to combat stress. Zoo Biol. 35:346-354, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- S K Bajpai
- Centre for Wildlife Conservation, Management and Disease Surveillance, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - A Das
- Centre for Wildlife Conservation, Management and Disease Surveillance, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - M Saini
- Centre for Wildlife Conservation, Management and Disease Surveillance, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - S S Kullu
- Centre for Wildlife Conservation, Management and Disease Surveillance, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - A K Sharma
- Centre for Wildlife Conservation, Management and Disease Surveillance, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Uttar Pradesh, India
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Ibáñez-Álamo JD, Ruiz-Raya F, Rodríguez L, Soler M. Fecal sacs attract insects to the nest and provoke an activation of the immune system of nestlings. Front Zool 2016; 13:3. [PMID: 26793266 PMCID: PMC4719217 DOI: 10.1186/s12983-016-0135-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2015] [Accepted: 01/15/2016] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Nest sanitation is a widespread but rarely studied behavior in birds. The most common form of nest sanitation behavior, the removal of nestling feces, has focused the discussion about which selective pressures determine this behavior. The parasitism hypothesis, which states that nestling fecal sacs attract parasites that negatively affect breeding birds, was proposed 40 years ago and is frequently cited as a demonstrated fact. But, to our knowledge, there is no previous experimental test of this hypothesis. Results We carried out three different experiments to investigate the parasitism hypothesis. First, we used commercial McPhail traps to test for the potential attraction effect of nestling feces alone on flying insects. We found that traps with fecal sacs attracted significantly more flies (Order Diptera), but not ectoparasites, than the two control situations. Second, we used artificial blackbird (Turdus merula) nests to investigate the combined attraction effect of feces and nest materials on arthropods (not only flying insects). Flies, again, were the only group of arthropods significantly attracted by fecal sacs. We did not detect an effect on ectoparasites. Third, we used active blackbird nests to investigate the potential effect of nestling feces in ecto- and endoparasite loads in real nestlings. The presence of fecal sacs near blackbird nestlings did not increase the number of louse flies or chewing lice, and unexpectedly reduced the number of nests infested with mites. The endoparasite prevalence was also not affected. In contrast, feces provoked an activation of the immune system as the H/L ratio of nestlings living near excrements was significantly higher than those kept under the two control treatments. Conclusions Surprisingly, our findings do not support the parasitism hypothesis, which suggests that parasites are not the main reason for fecal sac removal. In contrast, the attraction of flies to nestling feces, the elevation of the immune response of chicks, and the recently described antimicrobial function of the mucous covering of fecal sacs suggest that microorganisms could be responsible of this important form of parental care behavior (microbial hypothesis).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Juan Diego Ibáñez-Álamo
- Behavioral and Physiological Ecology group, Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Studies, University of Groningen, 9700 CC Groningen, The Netherlands ; Department Wetland Ecology, Estación Biológica de Doñana, C.S.I.C, Avda. Américo Vespucio s/n, 41092 Sevilla, Spain
| | - Francisco Ruiz-Raya
- Departamento de Zoología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Granada, Avda. Fuentenueva s/n, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Laura Rodríguez
- Departamento de Zoología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Granada, Avda. Fuentenueva s/n, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Manuel Soler
- Departamento de Zoología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Granada, Avda. Fuentenueva s/n, 18071 Granada, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Losdat S, Arcese P, Sampson L, Villar N, Reid JM. Additive genetic variance and effects of inbreeding, sex and age on heterophil to lymphocyte ratio in song sparrows. Funct Ecol 2015. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2435.12586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Sylvain Losdat
- School of Biological Sciences Institute of Biological and Environmental Sciences University of Aberdeen Tillydrone Avenue Zoology Building Aberdeen AB24 2TZ UK
- Institute of Ecology and Evolution University of Bern Baltzerstrasse 6 3012 Bern Switzerland
| | - Peter Arcese
- Department of Forest and Conservation Sciences University of British Columbia 2424 Main Mall Vancouver BC V6T 1Z4 Canada
| | - Laura Sampson
- Grupo de Investigación en Ecología Animal Universidad del Valle Calle 13 N.# 100‐00 Cali Colombia
| | - Nacho Villar
- School of Biological Sciences Institute of Biological and Environmental Sciences University of Aberdeen Tillydrone Avenue Zoology Building Aberdeen AB24 2TZ UK
| | - Jane M. Reid
- School of Biological Sciences Institute of Biological and Environmental Sciences University of Aberdeen Tillydrone Avenue Zoology Building Aberdeen AB24 2TZ UK
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Observed variation in the heterophil to lymphocyte ratio values of birds undergoing investigation of health status. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014. [DOI: 10.1007/s00580-014-2052-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
|
50
|
Moore FR, Cīrule D, Kivleniece I, Vrublevska J, Rantala MJ, Sild E, Sepp T, Hõrak P, Krama T, Krams I. Investment in a sexual signal results in reduced survival under extreme conditions in the male great tit (Parus major). Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2014. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-014-1828-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
|