Feather corticosterone content in predatory birds in relation to body condition and hepatic metal concentration

General and Comparative Endocrinology
Rebecca J StrongTom G Pottinger

Abstract

This study investigated the feasibility of measuring corticosterone in feathers from cryo-archived raptor specimens, in order to provide a retrospective assessment of the activity of the stress axis in relation to contaminant burden. Feather samples were taken from sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus, kestrel Falco tinnunculus, buzzard Buteo buteo, barn owl Tyto alba, and tawny owl Strix aluco and the variation in feather CORT concentrations with respect to species, age, sex, feather position, and body condition was assessed. In sparrowhawks only, variation in feather CORT content was compared with hepatic metal concentrations. For individuals, CORT concentration (pgmm(-1)) in adjacent primary flight feathers (P5 and P6), and left and right wing primaries (P5), was statistically indistinguishable. The lowest concentrations of CORT were found in sparrowhawk feathers and CORT concentrations did not vary systematically with age or sex for any species. Significant relationships between feather CORT content and condition were observed in only tawny owl and kestrel. In sparrowhawks, feather CORT concentration was found to be positively related to the hepatic concentrations of five metals (Cd, Mn, Co, Cu, Mo) and the metalloid As. There was a...Continue Reading

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Citations

May 8, 2016·Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology. Part A, Molecular & Integrative Physiology·L Michael Romero, Graham D Fairhurst
Jun 24, 2016·Conservation Physiology·Sara A BerkCreagh W Breuner
Dec 19, 2018·Journal of Analytical Toxicology·Fernando X MoreiraPaula G de Pinho
Oct 17, 2018·Conservation Physiology·Nikole E Freeman, Amy E M Newman
Mar 19, 2021·Veterinary and Animal Science·Katharina Elisabeth HäffelinRobby Andersson
Dec 17, 2019·The Science of the Total Environment·T PowolnyM Coeurdassier

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