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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 109(4)

Phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) response and bill-hue wavelength increase with carotenoid supplementation in Diamond Firetails (Stagonopleura guttata)

Ingrid Stirnemann A , Greg Johnston A B , Brian Rich B , Jeremy Robertson A and Sonia Kleindorfer A C
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A School of Biological Sciences, Flinders University of South Australia, GPO Box 2100, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia.

B Royal Zoological Society of South Australia, Adelaide Zoo, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia.

C Corresponding author. Email: sonia.kleindorfer@flinders.edu.au

Emu 109(4) 344-351 https://doi.org/10.1071/MU08069
Submitted: 8 December 2008  Accepted: 11 November 2009   Published: 9 December 2009

Abstract

Carotenoids cannot be synthesised by vertebrates and must be derived from the diet. A growing amount of research has focussed on the role of carotenoids in immune function, as well as the signalling function of carotenoids in the colour of the integument (skin, bill and legs) and feathers. We used an experimental approach to examine the effects of experimental reduction and supplementation of dietary carotenoids on phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) response (as an estimate of cell-mediated immune response) and colour of the bill in the Diamond Firetail (Stagonopleura guttata). To demonstrate the biological relevance of our study, we first show that carotenoid concentrations of our captive experimental birds did not differ significantly from those of wild birds. We found that carotenoids circulating in the plasma of captive Diamond Firetails dropped to 50% of the original concentration in less than 5 days when on a carotenoid-free diet. The mean level of total carotenoids in the plasma stabilised at 6% of the original concentration after 26 days. Finally, Diamond Firetails showed a significant increase in PHA response and increased bill-hue wavelength while on either a lutein or a zeaxanthin supplemented diet. Our results show rapid signalling of carotenoid concentration in the integument (as measured here in the bill) that we suggest complements the longer term signalling potential of feathers.


Acknowledgements

This study was funded by the Australian Research Council and the Royal Zoological Society of South Australia. We also thank the South Australian Department for Environment and Heritage, Nature Foundation SA Inc., and the Sir Mark Mitchell Research Foundation for their support. Staff at the Adelaide Zoo assisted with the care and maintenance of the captive birds. All procedures followed the Guidelines for the Use of Animals in Research (Flinders University) and were approved by the Animal Welfare Committee of Flinders University (permit E190).


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