Variation in faecal corticosterone metabolites in an Arctic seabird, the Little Auk (Alle alle) during the nesting period

Dorota Kidawa,Rupert Palme,Mateusz Barcikowski,Liliana Keslinka-Nawrot,Lech Stempniewicz,Dariusz Jakubas,Katarzyna Wojczulanis-Jakubas

doi:10.1007/s00300-014-1464-3

Dorota Kidawa, Rupert Palme + Show 5 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1007/s00300-014-1464-3

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Abstract

Glucocorticoids participate in the control of whole body homoeostasis and an organism’s response to stress. Corticosterone, which is the principal glucocorticoid in birds, has been shown to increase in response to different energetic demands and perturbations that individuals have to cope with. In this study, a non-invasive method to examine the corticosterone secretion by measuring faecal corticosterone metabolites (FCM) has been established for an Arctic seabird, the Little Auk (Alle alle). A group-specific immunoassay was successfully validated for adults and chicks using an adrenocorticotropic challenge test. Then, FCM levels were investigated under different energetic and physiological demands, determined by weather conditions, week of chick rearing in adults, and age in chicks. The amount of rainfall had no effect on FCM levels in adults, whereas it negatively affected FCM levels in chicks. There was no variation in FCM concentrations among weeks of chick rearing in adults. In chicks, the FCM levels increased with age. Moreover, chicks with higher FCM levels had lower body mass and fledged later than chicks with lower FCM levels. This study demonstrates that environmental stress such as poor weather conditions can trigger significant changes in corticosterone levels in seabird chicks. Furthermore, the results indicate that corticosterone may be involved in the physiological and behavioural adjustments necessary for successful fledging and post-fledging survival.

Highlights

During the nesting period, birds experience unpredictable environmental events, such as adverse weather conditions, that can lead to physiological stress reactions
faecal corticosterone metabolites (FCM) levels were investigated under different energetic and physiological demands, determined by weather conditions, week of chick rearing in adults, and age in chicks
This study demonstrates that environmental stress such as poor weather conditions can trigger significant changes in corticosterone levels in seabird chicks

Summary

Introduction

Birds experience unpredictable environmental events, such as adverse weather conditions, that can lead to physiological stress reactions. Glucocorticoids, the end hormones of the hypothalamic– pituitary–adrenal axis, are one of the front-line hormones that participate in the control of whole body homoeostasis and the organism’s response to stress (Mostl and Palme 2002; Landys et al 2006). The level of the principal glucocorticoid in birds, corticosterone, has been shown to increase in response to season changes, weather deterioration and periodic life processes (Heath 1997; Belthoff and Dufty 1998; Romero et al 2000; Romero 2002; Frigerio et al 2004; Landys et al 2006; Quillfeldt et al 2010). Increased baseline corticosterone levels have been suggested as a reliable indicator of poor condition or health, reflecting how an individual or population copes with their environment (reviewed in Bonier et al 2009; Angelier et al 2010)

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