Leukocyte coping capacity as a complementary stress metric in migrating birds

Abstract

Corticosterone (Cort) is involved in multiple physiological processes during bird migration, complicating its interpretation in a stress context. We investigated whether the leukocyte coping capacity (LCC) provides useful complementary information on the stress response in migratory Garden Warblers (Sylvia borin) and how it relates to Cort and energetic condition. Contrary to Cort levels, LCC significantly decreased, implying high-stress levels and a diminished capacity to recover after a stressful event. The absence of significant effects of body conditions on the stress parameters shows no simple relationship between these traits and highlights the need for additional stress metrics to measure stress in life-history contexts.

Keywords

Migration; Stress; Coping; Leukocyte coping capacity; Endocrine-immune system

Published in

Journal of Ornithology
2020, volume: 161, pages: 909-913
Publisher: SPRINGER HEIDELBERG

SLU Authors

• Cardinale, Massimiliano

  • Department of Aquatic Resources (SLU Aqua), Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

UKÄ Subject classification

Zoology

Publication identifier

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10336-020-01774-9

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/105196