Relationships between dietary carotenoids, body tissue carotenoids, parasite burden, and health state in wild mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) ducklings

Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics
Michael W Butler, Kevin J McGraw

Abstract

While rodents and other mammals have traditionally served as models for studying carotenoid physiology, many wild animals from a variety of other taxa utilize carotenoids for self-maintenance and reproduction and accumulate far greater concentrations than those found in mammals. Though we have basic understandings of the control and value of carotenoids in some wild animal systems, many gaps remain. For example, parasites and pathogens impose severe survival constraints on free-ranging organisms, but little is known of how carotenoids work in concert with the immune system to combat natural infectious challenges. Furthermore, due to the high mortality rate from which many young animals suffer, health and carotenoid status during the early stages of development may be critical to survival. The relative importance of dietary versus physiological mechanisms for carotenoid uptake has also been understudied in the wild. To begin to shed light on these issues, we studied relationships between dietary and tissue carotenoids, hematological immune parameters, and endoparasitism of wild mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) ducklings at a variety of ages. Lutein, zeaxanthin, β-cryptoxanthin, β-carotene, and canthaxanthin were the most common caro...Continue Reading

References

Jun 21, 2003·Proceedings. Biological Sciences·Misha Vorobyev
Jul 12, 2003·Oecologia·Patrick S FitzeHeinz Richner
Feb 20, 2010·Virology Journal·Sasan R FereidouniThomas C Mettenleiter

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Citations

Dec 9, 2010·Journal of Comparative Physiology. B, Biochemical, Systemic, and Environmental Physiology·Michael W Butler, Kevin J McGraw
Dec 2, 2014·The American Naturalist·Mirre J P SimonsSimon Verhulst
Mar 26, 2014·Journal of Experimental Zoology. Part A, Ecological Genetics and Physiology·Anna N ParkerN Robert Estes
Aug 6, 2013·Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology. Part A, Molecular & Integrative Physiology·Michael W ButlerKevin J McGraw
Aug 27, 2016·Behavioural Processes·Russell A Ligon, Michael W Butler
Feb 23, 2019·Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology. Part B, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology·Alex E MohrKaren L Sweazea
Mar 25, 2021·The Journal of Experimental Biology·Chloe PeneauxAndrea S Griffin

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