Seasonal modulation of diurnal food consumption in Indian songbirds

Seasonal changes in daily food consumption have a direct bearing with energy requirement of bird that is in turn associated with life history stage of birds. We compared seasonal changes in daily food intake in adult male migratory redheaded bunting (Emberiza bruniceps) that over winters in Indian subcontinent with those in non-migratory blackheaded munia to reiterate the same. We also compared daily food eating pattern (DFEP) in wintering blackheaded and redheaded buntings, closely related Emberizidae finches to establish circadian nature of feeding behavior and how it varied at species level. The birds were held under short days (8L:16D; 8 h of light and 16 h of darkness) and two hourly food consumption was measured to profile their DFEP. Further, we extended the study to establish how the circadian pattern of food consumption varied depending on birds’ physiological state and effect of photoperiod in adult male redheaded buntings. Redheaded buntings DFEP and locomotor activity were compared in pre-migratory months of February (spring) and September (autumn). The results suggest that September (photorefractory) birds exhibit clear bimodality in their feeding behavior as compared to (photosensitive) birds in February. Another experiment compared bird’s DFEP held under short (8L:16D) and long (16L:8D) days for 5 weeks and suggested that under long days, prolonged hours of photophase render adaptive advantage to birds for positive energy budgeting. The present study clearly establishes the circadian nature of feeding behavior and that it modulates over seasons. The bimodal i.e. morning and evening peaks of food consumption suggest morning–evening food entrainable oscillators, however this needs to be investigated with mechanistic approach in future studies.     

Light entrainment and stimulation of the secretion of prolactin in rams

Light entrainment and stimulation of PRL release were studied in rams submitted to artificial light regimes: In a first experiment four groups of animals were submitted to light regimes with a period of 6, 4, 3 or 2 months respectively (T6 to T2 groups) and amplitude of 8-16 h of daylength. In all four groups PRL level was significantly correlated with daylength (r greater than 0.51; P less than 0.01). However in July, when temperatures were indeed high, an additional PRL increase was observed in the T6, T4 and T3 groups, although the role of temperature appears debatable. In a second experiment, animals were exposed daily to 8 hrs. of light given in two photofractions. The first fraction of 7 hrs. began at the same time as "dawn", and the second of 1 hr ended at the same time as "dusk" of the T6 group in the first experiment which served as control group. Correlation of plasma prolactin in rams receiving 8 h light in one or two photofractions was highly significant (r = 0.66; P less than 0.001). This suggests that rams measured daylength between two limits considered as "dawn" and "dusk" even if lights were turned off during part of this interval.     

Stimulation and inhibition of food intake in sheep by centrally-administered hypothalamic releasing factors

Short-term effects of hypothalamic releasing factors on feeding behavior and digestive motility patterns were assessed in hay-fed sheep trained to eat more than half the total amount eaten over 8 h within the first 3 h after food presentation. Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) given intracerebroventricularly (ICV, 30 ng/kg) or intravenously at higher doses (IV, 3 micrograms/kg) reduced food consumption by 20 p. cent. The ICV or IV TRH-induced reduction was associated with behavioral excitation and stimulation of antroduodenal motor activity without changes in water intake. The ovine corticotropin releasing factor (oCRF 41) decreased food and water intake by 30-50% when administered ICV (60 ng/kg) but was not active when given systemically at doses up to 6 micrograms/kg. The synthetic human growth hormone releasing factor (hGRF 44) administered centrally (60 ng/kg) increased the amount of food intake and the antral motor activity without behavioral excitation. The results indicate a centrally-mediated facilitation of food intake by GRF and its inhibition by CRF which also affect water consumption. The presence of digestive motor effects suggests that extrapituitary pathways may be involved, as for TRH, in the action of both GRF and CRF.     

大鵟的食性改变:来自稳定性碳同位素的证据

通过对大规模灭鼠后的海北高寒草甸生态系统大鵟、小型哺乳类以及雀形目鸟类肌肉稳定性碳同位素比值的测定发现,大篱的肌肉稳定性碳同位素比值介于-22．60‰和-23．10‰之间;小型哺乳类和主要雀形目鸟类肌肉稳定性碳同位素比值分别介于-25．57‰和-25．78‰以及-24．81‰和-22．51‰之间,且它们之间差异性显著。基于碳同位素的分馏模式(即动物和它食物之间稳定性碳同位素分馏在1‰～2‰之间),我们推断经大规模灭鼠后,大篱的食性发生了较大变化,其食物主要来源于高寒草甸的雀形目鸟类,而非原来的小型哺乳类。通过稳定性同位素营养级模型的运算发现,大蔫处在4．23左右的营养级;雀形目鸟类处在2．4到3．39左右的营养级,而小型哺乳类则处在1．45到1．82左右的营养级。进而采用稳定性同位素质量平衡模型计算得出,大篱的食物由35．04％的小型哺乳类和64．96％的雀形目鸟类所组成,进一步说明小型哺乳类在大量灭鼠后仅占大篱食物的很小一部分。由此可见,采取大规模的化学灭鼠,不仅降低了小型啮齿类天敌——大鵟的数量,而日使得其食谱发毕了巨大改变而转向草甸主要雀形目鸟类[动物学报49(6)：764～768,2003]。     

Are mice calorically restricted in nature?

An important question about traditional caloric restriction (CR) experiments on laboratory mice is how food intake in the laboratory compares with that of wild mice in nature. Such knowledge would allow us to distinguish between two opposing views of the anti-aging effect of CR--whether CR represents, in laboratory animals, a return to a more normal level of food intake, compared with excess food consumption typical of laboratory conditions or whether CR represents restriction below that of animals living in nature, i.e. the conditions under which house mice evolved. To address this issue, we compared energy use of three mouse genotypes: (1) laboratory-selected mouse strains (= laboratory mice), (2) house mice that were four generations or fewer removed from the wild (= wild-derived mice) and (3) mice living in nature (= wild mice). We found, after correcting for body mass, that ad libitum fed laboratory mice eat no more than wild mice. In fact, under demanding natural conditions, wild mice eat even more than ad libitum fed laboratory mice. Laboratory mice do, however, eat more than wild-derived mice housed in similar captive conditions. Therefore, laboratory mice have been selected during the course of domestication for increased food intake compared with captive wild mice, but they are not particularly gluttonous compared with wild mice in nature. We conclude that CR experiments do in fact restrict energy consumption beyond that typically experienced by mice in nature. Therefore, the retarded aging observed with CR is not due to eliminating the detrimental effects of overeating.     

Reproductive diapause and quiescence in a tropical rice buh,Leptocorisa oratorius

Experiments were carried out to analyze the effects of food supply and photoperiod on the induction of dormancy inLeptocorisa oratorius Fabricius (Heteroptera: Alydidae) adults in Alor Setar (latitude 6.1^o N), West Malaysia. When the adults were deprived of food, they ceased oviposition, became tolerant to starvation, and their oxygen consumption rate decreased, but they did not accumulate lipid. Their oxygen consumption rate again increased when they were allowed to resume feeding. Therefore, food limitation induced quiescence in the adult. On the other hand, diapause was induced by short daylength (critical photoperiod was 12L:12D), leading to immature ovaries, hypertrophied fat bodies, lipid accumulation and low oxygen consumption rate even when food was available. However, in the study area most of the bugs probably did not enter diapause at any time of the year, because the shortest outdoor daylength including civil twilight was longer than the critical daylength for diapause induction.     

Annual changes in body mass in captive Svalbard ptarmigan: role of changes in locomotor activity and food intake

The influence of changes in the amount of locomotor activity on the annual body mass cycle was investigated in captive Svalbard ptarmigan kept indoors at thermoneutrality and exposed to seasonal changes in daylength or continuous light from the summer onwards. In both groups there was a close correlation between locomotor activity and metabolic rate. Only birds exposed to changes in daylength showed an annual cycle in locomotor activity, with low activity in autumn and mid-winter and a peak in spring. The birds permanently exposed to continuous light had a relatively low activity throughout the year with no systematical changes. Body mass began to increase in both groups in early autumn and the food intake was elevated during most of the following fattening period. It is concluded that elevated food intake is the prime factor involved in autumnal fattening in captive Svalbard ptarmigan. Body mass increased significantly faster under decreasing daylength compared with continuous light, associated with a lower activity as well as a higher food intake. The birds exposed to continuous light maintained a high body mass and a relatively low activity level during spring. In birds exposed to changing daylength, body mass fell from late February onwards, which is about 3 months later than in outdoor caged or free-living Svalbard ptarmigan. In the birds exposed to increasing daylength a fourfold increase in the amount of locomotor activity occurred from February to April. This increased activity was correlated with a negative energy balance and may be casually associated with the fall in body mass in these birds. Under outdoor conditions, elevated locomotor activity in spring may be responsible for a continuation of the decline in body mass commencing in November, despite a slight tendency for an increased food intake towards the end of this period.Abbreviations BM body mass - CE _f caloric equivalent of food - EAE energy assimilation efficiency - EE energy expenditure - FI food intake - LA locomotor activity - LL continuous light - LD simulated annual changes in daylength - MEI metabolizable energy intake - MR metabolic rate - RQ respiratory quotient     

Availability of unfertilised eggs increases the fitness of nymphal crickets (Gryllidae)

1. Female insects of many species lay both fertilised and unfertilised eggs, with the latter accounting for up to 50% of the total number laid. These unfertilised eggs do not hatch and so their relevance is unclear. 2. In the present study, it was found that nymphs of the cricket Velarifictorus aspersus ate unfertilised eggs regardless of whether there was other food available. This provision enabled nymphs to develop successfully when no other food was provided, and to gain additional body mass when other food was available under crowded conditions. These results suggest that unfertilised eggs have an important role in the survival and development of nymphs. 3. Nymphs preferred to eat unfertilised rather than fertilised eggs, suggesting that they may have the ability to distinguish between these two types of eggs. 4. Crowding promoted feeding on unfertilised eggs and accelerate nymphal development, suggesting that greater food consumption accounts for faster growth under grouped conditions.     

Behaviour and seasonal variation in heart rate in domestic sheep,Ovis aries

Three major causes of heart rate variation in undisturbed adult ewes were identified: behaviour, season and individual identity. Heart rate was 8 beats/min lower when the ewe was lying than when she was standing. It was increased by ruminating by 2 beats/min above the value for idling, and by a further 6 beats/min when the ewe changed to grazing. It seems that the increases in heart rate when the ewe was standing were simply added to those associated with ruminating or grazing. Heart rate declined slightly during bouts of unchanged behaviour. It varied seasonally from a minimum in December to a maximum some 50% (46 beats/min) higher in June. This variation was closely linked with daylength, basal metabolic rate, food availability, food consumption and the reproductive cycle, although it also occurred in non-breeding animals. Changes in heart rate associated with daylength may be the secondary result of the effects of daylength on metabolic rate. After taking all these effects into account, there remained variation between five ewes of 16 beats/min.     

Avian daily foraging patterns: Effects of digestive constraints and variability

Summary Birds show a typical daily pattern of heavy morning and secondary afternoon feeding. We investigate the pattern of foraging by a bird that results in the lowest long-term rate of mortality. We assume the following: mortality is the sum of starvation and predation. The bird is characterized by two state variables, its energy reserves and the amount of food in its stomach. Starvation occurs during the day if the bird's reserves fall to zero. The bird starves during the night if the total energy stored in reserves and the stomach is less than a critical amount. The probability that the bird is killed by a predator is higher if the bird is foraging than if it is resting. Furthermore, the predation risk while foraging increases with the bird's mass. From these assumptions, we use dynamic programming techniques to find the daily foraging routine that minimizes mortality. The principal results are (1) Variability in food finding leads to routines with feeding concentrated early in the day, (2) digestive constraints cause feeding to be spread more evenly through the day, (3) even under fairly severe digestive constraints, the stomach is generally not full and (4) optimal fat reserve levels are higher in more variable environments and under digestive constraints. This model suggests that the characteristic daily feeding pattern of small birds is not due to digestive constraints but is greatly influenced by environmental variability.     

Ants (Formicidae) as food for birds in southern Africa: opportunism or survival?

Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) are eaten by a number of bird species in southern Africa. Our database contained 545 species (excluding waterbirds and raptors), of which 179 species have been observed feeding on ants, or had ants in their stomachs. Ants are eaten by birds in all ecosystems, but the consumption of ants is disproportionately high in species that occur in arid ecosystems. The number of bird species eating ants increases in proportion to the number of bird species in any ecosystem, but it increases disproportionately with decreasing mean annual rainfall. There was a small, but not significant, difference in the proportion of ant-eating bird species between 502 resident species, of which 154 (30.6%) eat ants, and 47 nomadic species, of which 18 (38.2%) eat ants. Foraging behaviour and substrate, i.e. whether foraging in the air, from a perch or on the ground, significantly influenced the probability that ants would be included in the diet.     

Temporal changes in prolactin and corticosterone response during chronic treatment with d-fenfluramine

In order to elucidate the mechanism of development of tolerance to the anorectic effect during chronic treatment with d-fenfluramine (d-F), we examined the temporal changes induced by d-F in food intake and prolactin (PRL) and corticosterone secretion. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were treated for 14 days with d-F (2.5 mg/kg i.p.) or saline twice daily and were given free access to food and water. Groups of 8 rats were sacrificed 30 min after d-F or saline injection at days 1, 4 and 14 for measurements of serum PRL and corticosterone. Food intake and weight gain were reduced significantly by d-F during the first 2-3 days of treatment but not thereafter. Compared with saline, d-F initially increased PRL (57 +/- 9 vs. 7 +/- 0.7 ng/ml) and corticosterone (42 +/- 2 vs. 14 +/- 3 micrograms/dl) serum concentrations. At 4 days, PRL was still significantly increased (43 +/- 5 vs. 10 +/- 4 ng/ml) but corticosterone returned to basal levels. At 14 days, PRL and corticosterone concentrations in the d-F group were not different from corresponding values in the saline group. To verify whether the loss of corticosterone and PRL responses to d-F was not due to a depletion of hormone stores, direct stimulation of corticosterone with corticotrophin and of PRL with metoclopramide were made at days 4 and 14, respectively. Corticotrophin (0.25 mg/kg i.p.) increased corticosterone concentrations similarly in d-F-treated (45 +/- 8 micrograms/dl) and in saline-treated rats (51 +/- 7 micrograms/dl).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Pulses of prolactin before, during, and after luteolysis and synchrony with pulses of a metabolite of prostaglandin F2α in heifers

Pulses of prolactin (PRL) and a metabolite of prostaglandin F2α (PGFM) were determined from hourly blood samples collected before, during, and after luteolysis (n=7 heifers). Progesterone concentrations were used to partition the results into six 12-h sets from 12h before to 36h after luteolysis. Pulses of PRL with a nadir-to-nadir interval of 4.4±0.2h were detected in each 12-h set. Pulses were rhythmic (P<0.05) in six heifers, beginning 12h before the end of luteolysis. The peak of a PRL pulse was greater (P<0.05) for the 12h after the end of luteolysis than for other 12-h sets, except for the last set of luteolysis. Area under the curve of a pulse was greater (P<0.05) for the 24h that encompassed the end of luteolysis than for two previous 12-h sets. Synchrony between the peaks of PRL and PGFM pulses was greater (P<0.03) during and after luteolysis (same hour for 29/39 pairs) than before luteolysis (0/12). Concentration of PRL centralized to the peak (Hour 0) of PGFM pulses was greater (P<0.05) at Hours 0 and 1 than at Hours -2, -1, and 3. Results supported the hypothesis that PRL is secreted in pulses in heifers. The pulses were most prominent and rhythmic during the last 12h of luteolysis and thereafter. The pulse peaks of PRL and PGFM were synchronized for most PRL pulses during and after luteolysis.     

Porcine adrenal prolactin receptors: characterization, changes during neonatal development and effects of hypoprolactinemia

1. Adrenal prolactin (PRL) receptors were identified within the adrenal cortex of pigs (Sus domesticus), and found to be located specifically on isolated zona fasciculata/reticularis cells (6437 sites per cell). 2. These PRL receptors were associated with binding to [125I]-oPRL which was characterized as being time and temperature dependent, specific for PRL, saturable, of high affinity (Ka = 10(10)/M) with a single class of binding sites, and irreversible except under extreme conditions. 3. The concentrations (fmol/mg protein) of PRL receptors decreased by 35% (P less than 0.05) between 3 and 10 days of age, and subsequently remained constant until 30 days of age. Total content (fmol/paired adrenals) increased progressively (2-fold, P less than 0.05) between 3 and 30 days of age. 4. Short-term (less than 16 hr) and prolonged (7 weeks) hypoprolactinemia (46-64% of control levels, P less than 0.05) were not associated with changes in numbers of porcine adrenal unoccupied PRL receptors.     

Effect of sampling interval on serum concentrations of luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and prolactin in prepubertal, ovariectomized, and cycling gilts.

Three experiments were conducted to determine the effect of sampling interval on serum concentrations of LH, FSH, and prolactin (PRL) in prepubertal, ovariectomized, and cycling gilts. In all experiments, blood samples were drawn at 2-min intervals for 4 h from indwelling jugular catheters. Mean serum hormone concentrations, mean number of peaks, and mean and maximum peak heights of LH, FSH, and PRL were calculated using values reflecting 2-, 6-, 10-, 20-, 30-, and 60-min sampling intervals. For LH, FSH, and PRL, mean serum concentrations can be obtained through blood samples drawn at hourly intervals. Since LH peaks are very distinct in pigs, the number of secretory peaks and mean peak height can be obtained via samples drawn at 20-min intervals. Since FSH and PRL peaks are less well defined, a more frequent sampling interval (10 min) is needed to determine number of peaks and mean peak height. To obtain the maximum peak height or the number of minutes for LH, FSH, or PRL to rise from its nadir to zenith, blood samples need to be drawn at 2-min intervals. Regardless of reproductive state, these data indicate that the sampling interval needed to characterize serum concentrations of LH, FSH, and PRL in the gilt is dependent upon the parameter in question.     

Energetics of small body size and high latitude the Rufous Hummingbird in coastal Alaska

The Rufous Hummingbird is the smallest bird breeding at latitudes of 58° to 60°. Nesting chronology and food sequence was observed. The microclimate of the nest-site and its potential for heat loss during incubation were similar to those of hummingbirds in the Rocky Mountains at 39°N. Hummingbirds of lower latitudes increase their active-daylength in direct proportion to solar daylength (active day = 1.03 × solar day), whereas the Rufous Hummingbird tended to utilize less of the long daylength of coastal Alaska (active day = 197 min + 0.83 × solar day).     

Inhibition by estrogen of autofeedback regulation of prolactin secretion

The effect of estradiol-17 beta (E2) on autofeedback regulation of prolactin (PRL) secretion was tested in ovariectomized rats after s.c. implantation of an (E2)-containing or empty silastic capsule, followed by i.v. injection of bovine PRL (b-PRL) or bovine serum albumin (BSA; 500 micrograms/100 g B.W.). Implantation of an E2 capsule (day 0), 2.5 mm or 5.0 mm in length, produced plasma E2 concentrations of 79 +/- 6 (9) and 140 +/- 8 pg/ml (8), respectively. Assay of PRL in plasma samples collected at 1 h intervals between 1100-1800 h on days 3, 4 and 5, after E2 capsule implantation showed a daily afternoon PRL surge. Empty capsule-treated rats did not show any afternoon PRL surge. Injection of b-PRL, but not BSA, at 1200 h on day 3 reduced basal PRL release both on days 3 and 4 in empty capsule-treated rats. In ovariectomized rats treated with a smaller E2 capsule (2.5 mm), b-PRL injection at 1200 h on day 3 reduced the amplitude of the afternoon surge of PRL and the total amount of PRL released on day 4. b-PRL, however, was ineffective in reducing PRL release in rats bearing the large E2 capsule (5.0 mm). These results suggest that high E2 levels in the blood can block the negative feedback action of PRL on PRL release.     

Lunch induces an increase in the plasma prolactin concentration, but not vasoactive intestinal peptides or cholecystokinin

Ingestion of lunch is known to be associated with acute release of prolactin (PRL). The neuroendocrine mechanism of this release was examined by measuring changes in serum vasoactive intestinal peptides (VIP) and cholecystokinin (CCK) after the noon meal in six normal men. The serum PRL concentration was significantly increased (40% above the level before lunch) from 30 min to 1 h 45 min after beginning to eat. However, the ingestion of lunch had no remarkable effects on the plasma immunoreactive concentration of VIP and CCK. Thus the changes in the plasma concentration of these two gut-brain peptides did not coincided with acute PRL release after ingestion of lunch, suggesting either that these two gut-brain peptides are probably not involved in PRL release after lunch, or that the level of these two gut-brain peptides in the general circulation may not represent that in the hypophyseal portal plasma.     

Skeletons in the cupboard? Quantifying bird predation on Atlantic salmon: atlas vertebra:fish length equations revisited

Throughout Europe there is considerable concern about the potential impact of sawbill ducks Mergus spp. and great cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo on catches of commercial fish (reviews by Marquiss & Carss, 1994; Russell et al ., 1996). A prerequisite to estimating impact is to quantify the consumption of commercially important fish by birds. This requires site-specific data on (1) bird numbers, (2) their daily food intake and (3) diet. Considerable effort has been directed at quantifying (2) and (3) and exploring the biases associated with different methods (see Carss et al ., 1997 for review).