TY - JOUR
T1 - Anti-parasite treatment and blood biochemistry in raptor nestlings
AU - Hanssen, Sveinn Are
AU - Sonne, Christian
AU - Bustnes, Jan Ove
AU - Schnug, Lisbeth
AU - Bourgeon, Sophie
AU - Ballesteros, Manuel
AU - Eulaers, Igor
AU - Moum, Truls
AU - Johnsen, Trond Vidar
AU - Kjelgaard-Hansen, Mads
AU - Herzke, Dorte
AU - Jaspers, Veerle L.B.
AU - Covaci, Adrian
AU - Eens, Marcel
AU - Halley, Duncan J.
AU - Erikstad, Kjell Einar
AU - Ims, Rolf Anker
PY - 2017
Y1 - 2017
N2 - We investigated the effects of parasite removal on various blood clinical–chemical variables (BCCVs). BCCVs are indicators of health, reflecting, e.g., homeostasis of liver, kidney function, and bone metabolism. The study was conducted in Norway on chicks of two predatory birds: White-tailed Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla (L., 1758)) and Northern Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis (L., 1758)). Chicks were treated against both endoparasites (internal parasites) and ectoparasites (external parasites). We treated against ectoparasites by spraying nests with pyrethrins. Within nests, chicks were randomly treated with either an antihelminthic medication (fenbendazole) or sterile water (controls). Treatment against either ectoparasites or endoparasites led to higher levels of the bone and liver enzyme alkaline phosphatase. Bilirubin levels were lower when treated against ectoparasites, whereas bile acids were higher. Anti-endoparasite treatment led to higher creatinine levels. In Northern Goshawks, treating against endoparasites led to higher urea levels and lower potassium levels. Treatment against ectoparasites increased uric acid and urea levels and reduced bilirubin levels and protein:creatinine ratios. In conclusion, anti-parasite treatments led to changes in several BCCVs, suggesting differences in nutrient absorption and physiological state of chicks that are possibly related to the costs of parasitism, but maybe also to the parasite treatment itself.
AB - We investigated the effects of parasite removal on various blood clinical–chemical variables (BCCVs). BCCVs are indicators of health, reflecting, e.g., homeostasis of liver, kidney function, and bone metabolism. The study was conducted in Norway on chicks of two predatory birds: White-tailed Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla (L., 1758)) and Northern Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis (L., 1758)). Chicks were treated against both endoparasites (internal parasites) and ectoparasites (external parasites). We treated against ectoparasites by spraying nests with pyrethrins. Within nests, chicks were randomly treated with either an antihelminthic medication (fenbendazole) or sterile water (controls). Treatment against either ectoparasites or endoparasites led to higher levels of the bone and liver enzyme alkaline phosphatase. Bilirubin levels were lower when treated against ectoparasites, whereas bile acids were higher. Anti-endoparasite treatment led to higher creatinine levels. In Northern Goshawks, treating against endoparasites led to higher urea levels and lower potassium levels. Treatment against ectoparasites increased uric acid and urea levels and reduced bilirubin levels and protein:creatinine ratios. In conclusion, anti-parasite treatments led to changes in several BCCVs, suggesting differences in nutrient absorption and physiological state of chicks that are possibly related to the costs of parasitism, but maybe also to the parasite treatment itself.
KW - BCCVs
KW - Blood clinical–chemical variables
KW - Cost of parasitism
KW - Northern Goshawk
KW - Raptor
KW - White-tailed Eagle
U2 - 10.1139/cjz-2016-0040
DO - 10.1139/cjz-2016-0040
M3 - Journal article
AN - SCOPUS:85029032784
VL - 95
SP - 685
EP - 693
JO - Canadian Journal of Zoology
JF - Canadian Journal of Zoology
SN - 0008-4301
IS - 9
ER -