Artificial light at night causes an unexpected increase in oxalate in developing male songbirds

Conservation Physiology
Thomas RaapMarcel Eens

Abstract

Artificial light at night (ALAN) is a widespread and increasing environmental pollutant with known negative impacts on animal physiology and development. Physiological effects could occur through sleep disruption and deprivation, but this is difficult to quantify, especially in small developing birds. Sleep loss can potentially be quantified by using oxalate, a biomarker for sleep debt in adult humans and rats. We examined the effect of ALAN on oxalate in free-living developing great tits (Parus major) as effects during early-life could have long-lasting and irreversible consequences. Nestlings' physiology was quantified at baseline (= 13 days after hatching) and again after two nights of continued darkness (control) or exposure to ALAN (treatment). We found that ALAN increased oxalate levels but only in male nestlings, rather than decreasing it as was found in sleep-deprived humans and rats. Our results using developing birds differ strongly from those obtained with adult mammals. However, we used ALAN to reduce sleep while in rats forced movement was used. Finally, we used free-living opposed to laboratory animals. Whether oxalate is a reliable marker of sleep loss in developing great tits remains to be examined. Potentially ...Continue Reading

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Citations

Jun 20, 2019·Proceedings. Biological Sciences·Zeynep N UlgezenDavide M Dominoni
May 22, 2018·Journal of Experimental Zoology. Part A, Ecological and Integrative Physiology·Thomas RaapMarcel Eens
Jun 6, 2018·Journal of Experimental Zoology. Part A, Ecological and Integrative Physiology·Anne E AulsebrookJohn A Lesku
Feb 3, 2021·Clocks & Sleep·Anne E AulsebrookJohn A Lesku

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