Growth and development of house sparrows (Passer domesticus) in response to chronic food restriction throughout the nestling period

The Journal of Experimental Biology
Tess L Killpack, William H Karasov

Abstract

Birds have evolved phenotypic plasticity in growth and developmental patterns in order to respond to fluctuating environmental conditions and to mitigate the impact of poor feeding on fitness. Chronic food shortage can occur during chick development in the wild, and the responses of altricial birds have not been thoroughly studied. House sparrow (Passer domesticus) nestlings were raised in the laboratory on age-specific meal sizes (controls) or meal sizes 25% less than age-specific amounts (food-restricted) and analyzed at 6, 9 and 12 days post-hatch for differences in growth and development. Food-restricted birds had significantly reduced body mass and body temperature, but skeletal growth was maintained with respect to controls. Muscle mass was significantly reduced and muscle water content was slightly, though not significantly, higher in food-restricted birds, which may reflect slight developmental immaturity. Assimilation organ masses, summed enzymatic capacity of the intestine and lipid content of the liver were significantly reduced in food-restricted birds. Findings from this study indicate that altricial birds experiencing chronic, moderate food restriction throughout the nestling period may allocate resources to struc...Continue Reading

References

Mar 1, 1992·The Journal of Nutrition·R M Leach, G E Rosselot
Apr 1, 1984·Scandinavian Journal of Clinical and Laboratory Investigation·A Dahlqvist
Oct 1, 1996·Journal of Animal Science·J P CantW J Croom
Aug 11, 1999·Physiological and Biochemical Zoology : PBZ·A S Kitaysky
Aug 23, 2001·Physiological and Biochemical Zoology : PBZ·E Caviedes-Vidal, W H Karasov
Aug 15, 2002·Physiological and Biochemical Zoology : PBZ·Kelly A LeeEnrique Caviedes-Vidal
Apr 21, 2009·The Journal of Experimental Biology·Paweł BrzekWilliam H Karasov
Feb 15, 2011·Annual Review of Physiology·William H KarasovEnrique Caviedes-Vidal
Feb 1, 2002·Integrative and Comparative Biology·Theunis Piersma
Dec 1, 1995·Evolution; International Journal of Organic Evolution·Marek Konarzewski, Jared Diamond

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Mar 29, 2013·Journal of Comparative Physiology. B, Biochemical, Systemic, and Environmental Physiology·Eunice H ChinGary Burness
Mar 3, 2015·Physiological and Biochemical Zoology : PBZ·Tess L KillpackWilliam H Karasov
Dec 4, 2015·Proceedings. Biological Sciences·Thor Harald RingsbyPat Monaghan
Aug 9, 2015·General and Comparative Endocrinology·Tara M FarrellScott A MacDougall-Shackleton
Mar 1, 2018·The Journal of Experimental Biology·Edwin R PriceEdward M Dzialowski
May 29, 2021·Scientific Reports·Sarah SenécalFrançois Vézina

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.