Behavioral changes in fasting emperor penguins: evidence for a "refeeding signal" linked to a metabolic shift

The American Journal of Physiology
J P RobinR Groscolas

Abstract

This study examines the relationships between metabolic status and behavior in spontaneously fasting birds in the context of long-term regulation of body mass and feeding. Locomotor activity, escape behavior, display songs, body mass, and metabolic and endocrine status of captive male emperor penguins were recorded during a breeding fast. We also examined whether body mass at the end of the fast affected further survival. The major part of the fast (phase II) was characterized by the maintenance of a very low level of locomotor activity, with almost no attempt to escape, by an almost constant rate of body mass loss, and by steady plasma levels of uric acid, beta-hydroxybutyrate, and corticosterone. This indicates behavioral and metabolic adjustments directed toward sparing energy and body protein. Below a body mass of approximately 24 kg (phase III), spontaneous locomotor activity and attempts to escape increased by up to 8- and 15-fold, respectively, and display songs were resumed. This probably reflected an increase in the drive to refeed. Simultaneously, daily body mass loss and plasma levels of uric acid and corticosterone increased, whereas plasma levels of beta-hydroxybutyrate decreased. Some experimental birds were seen ...Continue Reading

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Citations

Nov 18, 2000·American Journal of Physiology. Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology·R GroscolasJ P Robin
Sep 14, 2018·Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine : Official Publication of the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians·Guillaume DesoubeauxCarolyn Cray
Apr 30, 2019·Ecology and Evolution·Louise EmmersonColin Southwell
Feb 13, 2020·European Journal of Pediatrics·Yılmaz YıldızHatice Serap Sivri
Oct 22, 2002·American Journal of Physiology. Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology·Servane F BernardRene Groscolas
Jun 19, 2002·American Journal of Physiology. Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology·Servane F BernardRené Groscolas
Jan 15, 2010·American Journal of Physiology. Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology·Elinor L Sullivan, Judy L Cameron
May 5, 2020·Global Change Biology·Rudy BoonstraPéter K Molnár
Sep 29, 2020·Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle·Brennan OlsonAaron J Grossberg
May 9, 2000·American Journal of Physiology. Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology·L JenniH Schwabl
Feb 25, 2011·American Journal of Physiology. Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology·Marion SpéeThierry Raclot
Feb 23, 2010·Journal of Comparative Physiology. B, Biochemical, Systemic, and Environmental Physiology·Etienne Challet
May 10, 2003·American Journal of Physiology. Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology·Servane F BernardRené Groscolas
Oct 8, 2020·Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience·Richard J JohnsonMiguel A Lanaspa
Dec 12, 2003·The Journal of Experimental Biology·Silvia Cristina R de SouzaMarilene S C Bianconcini
Dec 5, 2006·The Journal of Experimental Biology·Sophie Bourgeon, Thierry Raclot
Aug 20, 2021·Marine Environmental Research·Quentin QueirosDavid J McKenzie

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