Abr 8(3) abstracts_v2

Avian
Biology
Research
Published by
Science Reviews 2000 Ltd
Volume 8 No.3 2015
ISSN 1758 -1559

Avian Biology Research
Volume 8 No. 3 2015 ISSN 1758 - 1559
Front cover: Short-toed Eagle (Circaetus gallicus) and their breeding sites – see pages 160–166.
Copyright: Igor Shootov http://www.shutterstock.com/gallery-66287p1.html
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Contents
129 Long-term variation in blood glucose concentration in nestling Great Tits (Parus major)
Adam Kaliński, Mirosława Bańbura, Michał Glądalski, Marcin Markowski, Joanna Skwarska,
Jarosław Wawrzyniak, Piotr Zieliński, Iwona Cyżewska and Jerzy Bańbura
138 Expression of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase subunit related to the rate of
intramuscular lipogenesis in fast and slow-growing chicken strains
Ye Yang, Jiao Song, Rui‑Qi Fu, Yan‑Fa Sun and Jie Wen
145 (R)evolution in the molecular sexing of ratite birds: identification and analysis of new candidate
sex-linked markers
Francisco Morinha, João A. Cabral, Sónia Martins, Eduardo Cruz, Nuno Alvura, Pedro Nunes,
João Direitinho, Paula Magalhães and Estela Bastos
160 The importance of natural habitats as Short-toed Eagle (Circaetus gallicus) breeding sites
Ezra Hadad, Gilad Weil and Motti Charter
167 Immune condition and blood parasites in three sparrow species with different migratory status
in central Mexico
Pilar Carbó-Ramírez and Iriana Zuria
175 Effects of storage on physico-chemical parameters and quality of Greater Rhea
(Rhea americana) eggs
Renato Clini Cervi, Cíntia Silvia Minafra e Rezende, Luciana Batalha de Miranda Araújo,
Maria Auxiliadora Andrade, Leonardo Lopes Magno and Marcos Barcellos Café
179 Variation in haematocrit of nestling Blue Tits (Cyanistes caeruleus) in central Poland
Marcin Markowski, Mirosława Bańbura, Michał Glądalski, Adam Kaliński, Joanna Skwarska,
Jarosław Wawrzyniak, Piotr Zieliński and Jerzy Bańbura
185 The impact of a microbial feed supplement on small intestine integrity and oxidative stress
biomarker in broiler chickens
Khaled Ghareeb, Kerstin König, Wageha A. Awad, Qendrim Zebeli and Josef Böhm
Click on the titles above to jump straight to the abstract

AVIAN BIOLOGY RESEARCH 8 (3), 2015 129–137
Long-term variation in blood glucose concentration in nestling
Great Tits (Parus major)
Adam Kalińskia*
, Mirosława Bańburab
, Michał Glądalskic
, Marcin Markowskic
,
Joanna Skwarskac
, Jarosław Wawrzyniakc
, Piotr Zielińskid
, Iwona Cyżewskac
and
Jerzy Bańburac
a
Department of Teacher Training and Biological Diversity Studies, Faculty of Biology and
Environmental Protection, University of Łódź, Banacha 1/3, 90‑237 Łodź, Poland
b
Museum of Natural History, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Łódź,
Kilińskiego 101, 90‑011 Łódź, Poland
c
Department of Experimental Zoology and Evolutionary Biology and d Department of Ecology and
Vertebrate Zoology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Łódź, Banacha
12/16, 90‑237 Łódź, Poland
*E-mail: akalin@biol.uni.lodz.pl
ABSTRACT
The main aim of this study was to examine if blood glucose concentration displays any pattern of variation
between years and distinct habitats. Bird blood glucose concentration reflects their high metabolic demands
and is influenced by a variety of environmental factors. Therefore variation in glucose levels of free-living birds
is an important aspect of their functional ecology. We now present results concerning variation in glucose
concentration in the blood of Great Tit (Parus major) nestlings (~ 14-day-old). We also compare the obtained
results with variation in blood glucose nestlings Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus) published elsewhere. Our present
study was conducted in central Poland in an 8‑year period, 2005–12 in two distinct habitat types: an urban
parkland and a rural deciduous forest. The most important findings of the study were: (i) mean levels of blood
glucose varied markedly between years; (ii) glucose concentrations were significantly higher in the parkland
study area; (iii) heavier nestlings were characterised with lower blood glucose levels; (iv) there was a negative
relationship between fledging success and per-brood mean glucose concentration in the urban park site but not
in the forest site; and (v) Great Tit nestlings were characterised by significantly higher blood glucose levels than
Blue Tits nestlings. Variation in glucose concentration of nestling Great Tits shows a consistent spatio-temporal
pattern which is generally similar to that found in Blue Tits.
Keywords: Parus major, blood glucose, spatial and temporal variation, wild population, environmental stress
Link to full article:
http://stl.publisher.ingentaconnect.com/content/stl/abr/2015/00000008/00000003/art00001

Expression of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein
kinase subunit related to the rate of intramuscular lipogenesis in
fast and slow-growing chicken strains
Ye Yanga*
, Jiao Songa
, Rui‑Qi Fub
, Yan‑Fa Sunb
and Jie Wenb
a
College of Animal Science, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, Hubei 434025, P.R. China
b
State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, Institute of Animal Sciences, The Chinese Academy of
Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100094, P.R. China
*E-mail: yangyecaas@sina.com
ABSTRACT
The objective of this study was to compare the expression of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein
kinase (AMPK) and its relation to rates of lipogenesis in the muscle of fast (Arbor Acres, AA chickens)-
and slow (Bei-Jing-You, BJY chickens)-growing chicken strains. Twelve birds for each strain were selected
and slaughtered at 8 weeks of age for AA chickens and week 8, week 16 for BJY chickens. The amount
of intramuscular fat (IMF) content, expression of AMPK subunits and key regulators of lipogenesis in the
thigh and breast muscle tissue were determined. Results showed that the content of IMF and expression of
peroxisome proliferator activated receptors γ, FA translocase CD36 and fatty acid synthase in the thigh and
breast muscle of week 16 BJY were significantly higher than those for week 8 AA and week 8 BJY chickens
(P < 0.05). Compared with AA chickens at 8 weeks, at 16 weeks, the BJY showed a significantly lower
expression of AMPK subunits (except subunits α1 and γ3 in thigh and β1 and γ2 in breast) in the muscle
(P < 0.05). To examine the role of AMPK on adipogenesis, the muscle-derived stromal-vascular cells were
cultured in adipogenic medium and treated with AICAR and Compound C. The administration of compound
C significantly induced expression of CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein factors β, sterol regulatory element-
binding protein 1 and peroxisome proliferator activated receptors γ (P < 0.05), and AICAR-induced AMPK
activation inhibited adipogenic gene expression. In conclusion, there was a significantly higher IMF content
and lipogenic gene expression in week 16 BJY than week 8 AA. AMPK expression negatively related to
intramuscular lipid in chickens.
Keywords: chicken genotype, adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinases, intramuscular fat,
adipogenesis

(R)evolution in the molecular sexing of ratite birds: identification
and analysis of new candidate sex-linked markers
Francisco Morinhaa,b*
, João A. Cabralb
, Sónia Martinsc
, Eduardo Cruzc
, Nuno
Alvurad
, Pedro Nunese
, João Direitinhof
, Paula Magalhãesg
and Estela Bastosa,b
a
Department of Genetics and Biotechnology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences,
University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal
b
Laboratory of Applied Ecology, Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environment and
Biological Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal
c
Bioportugal Lda, Life Sciences Department, Porto, Portugal
d
Zoo da Maia, Maia, Portuga
e
Zoo da Lourosa, Lourosa, Portugal
f
Ostrichland – Produção de Avestruzes, Lda., Charneca da Caparica, Portugal
g
CCGen-IBMC, Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Porto, Portugal
*E-mail: franciscomorinha@hotmail.com
ABSTRACT
The molecular methods for sex identification in birds are important resources commonly used in population
studies, management and conservation plans, breeding programs and commercial poultry/farms. Recently,
advanced polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods based on melting curve analysis have been reported
for Neognathae (non-ratite) birds. These genotyping strategies are simple, rapid, highly sensitive/specific and
cost-effective, allowing high-throughput applicability. The evolutionary divergence and ancestral state of the
sex chromosomes in the Palaeognathae (ratite) birds have hindered the utilisation of the sex-linked markers
developed for non-ratite species. Therefore, the current PCR-based protocols for ratite species are restricted to
agarose and polyacrylamide gels. The screening of new candidate sex-linked markers is mandatory to implement
advanced PCR-based approaches in the routine molecular sexing of ratites. In this study, the nucleotide
sequences of the Ostrich Z and W gametologous genes were used for the identification of new potential sex-
linked markers, considering the optimisation of a molecular sexing protocol using the high-resolution melting
(HRM) analysis. Four candidate markers (NTRK2, RASEF, TMEM2 and DAPK1) were characterised for four ratite
species (Ostrich, Greater Rhea, Emu and Southern Cassowary). The male and female genotypes identified were
accurately differentiated based on specific melting curve profiles generated. The discussion of the polymorphic
patterns obtained and their influence on the reliability of molecular sexing are complemented with an overview
of the classical PCR-based methods for ratite birds. This study highlights the potential and usefulness of the
recently available genomic data for ratite sex chromosomes to identify new candidate sex-linked markers with
simple in silico approaches.
Keywords: bird sexing, ratites, polymerase chain reaction-based methods, candidate genes, high-resolution
melting analysis

The importance of natural habitats as Short-toed Eagle
(Circaetus gallicus) breeding sites
Ezra Hadada
, Gilad Weila
and Motti Charterb*
a
Israel Nature and Parks Authority, 3 Am Ve’Olamo St, Jerusalem, 95463, Israel
b
Department of Evolutionary and Environmental Biology, University of Haifa, Haifa 31905, Israel
*E-mail: chartermotti@gmail.com
ABSTRACT
The biodiversity of native species is diminishing in many regions as natural habitats are being replaced by
human settlements and agriculture. Top predators, such as large raptors, are especially sensitive to habitat
change, and they present flagship species due to the interest in them by the public. By protecting the raptors’
habitats we also protect other species that reside within these habitats. A large population of Short-toed Eagles
(Circaetus gallicus, hereafter StE) were studied in the Judea region of Israel across a 1,175 km2
study site during
the 2006–2008 breeding seasons, in order to determine whether the different types of habitat affect the number
of successful breeding pairs. During the three-year study, we recorded 288 breeding attempts by StE pairs in
156 different nests located mainly on trees. Of the successful StE pairs, 76.9% bred in natural habitats while
fewer pairs than expected bred in agricultural areas and human settlements. The mean number of successful StE
pairs was positively related to the proportion of natural habitat types and negatively related to the proportion
of human settlements and agriculture. Compared to successful pairs breeding in grids with a low density of
StE, grids with higher breeding densities of successful pairs comprised more natural habitat types and less
agricultural land and human settlement. Even though the population of StE in Israel is large, its future may be
at risk as natural habitats are increasingly being destroyed and replaced by human settlements and agriculture.
Conservation programs are therefore needed in order to protect as much natural habitat types as possible prior
to urban planning and realisation.
Keywords: Short-toed Eagle, conservation, habitat loss, nest sites, top predator, agriculture, human settlements

Immune condition and blood parasites in three sparrow species
with different migratory status in central Mexico
Pilar Carbó-Ramíreza,b
and Iriana Zuriaa*
a
Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo, Ciudad
Universitaria (Ciudad del Conocimiento), Carr. Pachuca-Tulancingo, Km 4.5 s/n, Colonia
Carboneras, Mineral de la Reforma, Hidalgo, C.P. 42184, México
b
Present address: Instituto de Ecología, A.C. Biología y Conservación de Vertebrados. Carretera
Antigua a Coatepec 351, El Haya, C.P.91070 Xalapa, Veracruz, México
*
E‑mail: izuria@yahoo.com
ABSTRACT
A good immune condition imposes an energetic cost and depends on many factors such as stressful situations
and extenuating activities, especially for migratory birds. The energetic demands during migration may be
compromised due to limited food availability, higher predation risks or novel diseases. We collected blood
samples in the adults of three species of sparrows with different migratory status in central Mexico: the Clay-
coloured Sparrow Spizella pallida (long distance migrant), the Chipping Sparrow S. passerina (local and long
distance migrant individuals present at the study site), and the Black-chinned Sparrow S. atrogularis (permanent
resident). These were used to compare the immune condition through analyses of their leukocyte profiles, the
heterophil/lymphocyte (H/L) ratio and the presence of blood parasites. We found differences in the immune
condition: the resident species showed a lower percentage of lymphocytes than the long distance migrant, and
also had more heterophils and a higher H/L than the two migratory species. We found that body mass was
not related to the leukocyte parameters. Trypanosoma was recorded in the three bird species. The Chipping
Sparrow was the most parasitised, followed by the Black-chinned Sparrow. Intensity of infection in the Chipping
Sparrow and the Black-chinned Sparrow was correlated with changes in the abundance of lymphocytes. Our
results suggest that the resident species had a reduced immune condition compared to the two migratory
species, while the presence of parasites and the intensity of parasitism did not differ between species. This is the
first study that evaluates and compares the immunological condition and blood parasitism in three congeneric
species of birds with different migratory status.
Keywords: leukocyte profile, blood parasites, Spizella, resident species, migratory species

Effects of storage on physico-chemical parameters and quality of
Greater Rhea (Rhea americana) eggs
Renato Clini Cervi*
, Cíntia Silvia Minafra e Rezende, Luciana Batalha de
Miranda Araújo, Maria Auxiliadora Andrade, Leonardo Lopes Magno and
Marcos Barcellos Café
Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Veterinary and Zootechny, Federal University of Goiás
(UFG), Campus Samambaia – Goiânia, GO, Brazil
*E-mail: renatoclinicervi@gmail.com
ABSTRACT
The Greater Rhea (Rhea americana) is a member of Brazilian fauna with potential for the production of eggs
with a unique nutritional composition that differs from the eggs of other species. The present study aimed
to gather information regarding the centesimal composition of Greater Rhea eggs and the storage time for
the preservation of egg quality for human consumption. Twenty-five Greater Rhea eggs (albumen and yolk
fractions), distributed into five groups of eggs stored for 7, 14, 21, 28 and 35 days at 10 ºC, were analysed. For
the determinations of the percentage composition, total protein was quantified by the Kjeldahl method and
total lipids by the Soxhlet method. To assess egg quality, the Haugh unit (HU), pH, and protein degradation
(by SDS PAGE electrophoresis) were determined. Based on the results, the albumen protein fraction quality
was maintained for 21 days, while the yolk proteins began to denature on the 14th day. The total lipids of the
albumen and yolk fractions did not change significantly until the 35th day of storage; at this time, the quality
decreased significantly, indicating that the eggs were adequate for consumption until the 28th day. Considering
the protein degradation profile and internal quality, Greater Rhea eggs can be stored for 21 days at 10 ºC
without alteration of their nutritional or functional characteristics.
Keywords: centesimal composition, egg quality, Haugh unit, ratite

Variation in haematocrit of nestling Blue Tits (Cyanistes
caeruleus) in central Poland
Marcin Markowskia
*, Mirosława Bańburad
, Michał Glądalskia
, Adam Kalińskib
,
Joanna Skwarskaa
, Jarosław Wawrzyniaka
, Piotr Zielińskic
and Jerzy Bańburaa
Departments of a
Experimental Zoology and Evolutionary Biology, b
Teacher Training and Biological
Diversity Studies, c
Ecology and Vertebrate Zoology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental
Protection, University of Łódź, Banacha, Poland
d
Natural History Museum, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Łódź,
Kilińskiego, Poland
*E-mail: mmarko@biol.uni.lodz.pl
ABSTRACT
Haematological indices have been frequently used to investigate the physiological condition of wild birds. In
this respect, among many blood parameters, haematocrit has been considered to be a valuable indicator. Many
studies, mostly conducted on adult birds, have discussed possible causes of haematocrit variation, pointing
out several factors both natural and anthropogenic as being crucial. In this study, we examined the level of
haematocrit for Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus) nestlings in relation to habitat type and inter-year sources of
variation. We found that the haematocrit of Blue Tit nestlings varied significantly between study years, showing
an increasing trend. We explain this variation by changeable weather conditions, pointing out that temperature
is a possible factor. The increase in haematocrit in subsequent study years was accompanied by a decline in
the ambient temperature. No significant effect of habitat type was noted in the haematocrit variation. We also
found that haematocrit values tended to be positively associated with fledging success. All this confirms that
haematocrit may be reasonably used as a one of the indicators of nestling condition.
Keywords: haematocrit, Blue Tit, nestlings, passerines, temperature, haematological indices

The impact of a microbial feed supplement on small intestine
integrity and oxidative stress biomarker in broiler chickens
Khaled Ghareeba,b
, Kerstin Königa
, Wageha A. Awadc,d
, Qendrim Zebelia
and
Josef Böhma
*
a
Institute of Animal Nutrition and Functional Plant Compounds, Department for Farm Animals
and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinaerplatz 1, A‑1210
Vienna, Austria
b
Department of Animal Behaviour and Management, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, South Valley
University, 83523 Qena, Egypt
c
Clinic for Poultry and Fish Medicine, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health,
University of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinaerplatz 1, A‑1210 Vienna, Austria
d
Department of Animal Hygiene, Poultry and Environment, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, South
Valley University, 83523 Qena, Egypt
*E-mail: josef.boehm@vetmeduni.ac.at
ABSTRACT
High productivity associated with the meat quality and low costs are the main objectives of meat poultry
production. Removal of antibiotics from poultry diets in many parts of the world has amplified the interest in
using feed additives in commercial poultry production to improve intestinal health and nutrient utilisation.
We have conducted an experiment to assess whether the dietary inclusion of a microbial feed additive
(MFA) has an effect on the small intestinal micro-architecture and oxidative stress biomarker (thiobarbituric
acid reactive substance, TBARS) in the liver and brain of broiler chickens. Two dietary treatments (n = 10/
treatment), consisting of a basal diet (control group) or the basal diet supplemented with 2.5 kg of MFA/ton of
feed (MFA group), were fed to broiler chicks from 1 to 35 days of age. On day 35, birds were slaughtered to
collect tissue samples from the duodenum and jejunum for histo-morphometry and from the liver and brains
for measuring TBARS. The results showed that addition of MFA to the broiler diet only increased (P = 0.019)
the crypt depth of the villi in the duodenum, without affecting the villus height, villus width and thickness
of the muscularis of the duodenum and the jejunum. Furthermore, supplementation of MFA in the diet
decreased the level of TBARS in the brain (P = 0.013) and in the liver (P = 0.017), suggesting a decrease in
the level of lipid peroxidation and oxidative stress. We conclude that the addition of microbial supplement
to broiler diets had limited effects on the intestinal integrity but has the potential to alleviate the level of
oxidative stress in broilers.
Keywords: histomorphometry, intestine, microbial feed supplement, thiobarbituric acid reactive substance,
broiler chickens

Editorial Advisory Board
Roselina Angel
Animal & Avian Building (ANSC)
1413 AnSc/AgEn building
University of Maryland
College Park, MD 20742-2311, USA
Murray R. Bakst
Germplasm and Gamete Physiology
Laboratory, USDA/ARS/LPSI, Bldg.
262, BARC-East,
Beltsville, Maryland 20705, USA
Wayne L. Bryden
Department of Animal Science
University of Queensland
Gatton Qld 4343, Australia
Jonathan Cooper
Department of Biological Sciences
University of Lincoln
Riseholme Park
Lincoln LN2 2LG, UK
Rob Etches
Crystal Bioscience
San Francisco
CA, USA
Barry O. Hughes
Department of Ethology
Institute of Animal Physiology
and Genetics, Edinburgh
Research Station, Roslin,
Midlothian EH25 9PS, UK
Susumu Ishii
Department of Biology
Waseda University,
Tokyo 169-50 Japan
Susan J. Lamont
Department of Animal Science
Iowa State University
Ames, Iowa 50011, USA
Alan Lill
Department of Ecology,
Environment and Evolution,
School of Life Sciences, La Trobe University,
Bundoora, Melbourne,
Victoria 3083, Australia
F.M.A. McNabb
Department of Biology
Virginia Polytechnic and State
University
Blacksburg, Virginia 24060, USA
Ruedi Nager
Division of Environmental &
Evolutionary Biology
Ornithology Group Institute of
Biomedical and Life Sciences
University of Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
Mary Ann Ottinger
Department of Poultry Science,
Animal Science Center,
University of Maryland, College Park,
Maryland 20742, USA
Barnett Rattner
USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research
Center
12011 Beech Forest Drive
Laurel, Maryland 20708, USA
Colin G. Scanes
University of Wisconsin Milwaukee
Chapman Hall, 2310 E.Hartford Avenue
WI 53211-3165, USA
Bengt Silverin
Department of Zoology
University of Gothenburg
Box 463, SE 405 30 Gothenburg,
Sweden
Anna Wilkinson
Department of Biological Sciences,
University of Lincoln,
Riseholme Park,
Lincoln LN2 2LG, UK
John C. Wingﬁeld
Department of Neurobiology,
Physiology and Behavior
University of California
Davis, California 95616,USA
Objectives
Avian Biology Research provides a forum for people working in every field of ornithology, and submissions are considered
that provide novel perspectives on any aspect of ornithology be it pure or applied. Most topics of research are considered,
particularly if they are able to appeal to a broad readership. The editors encourage submissions that describe novel, hypothesis-
driven research. However, review and methods-based papers will be also considered. We wish to appeal to the widest readership
and so discourage manuscripts that are highly specialised in their topic or very geographically localised in their scientific
application. For more information see http://www.sciencereviews2000.co.uk/view/journal/avian-biology-research
AVIAN BIOLOGY RESEARCH
Editor-in-Chief
Charles Deeming
School of Life Sciences, College of Science,
University of Lincoln, Lincolnshire LN6 7TS, UK
Editors
Tom Pike
School of Life Sciences, College of Science,
University of Lincoln, Lincolnshire LN6 7TS, UK
Dale Sandercock
Scottish Agricultural College, King’s Buildings,
West Mains Rd, Edinburgh EH9 3KG, UK
Claudia Wascher
University of Valladolid, Spain
Managing Director
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Publishing Manager
Christine Evans
Production and Business Coordinator
Steve Wawman
Editorial Assistant
Claire Pike
Science Reviews 2000 Ltd, PO Box 7712, Rushden NN10 1BJ, UK
www.avianbiologyresearch.co.uk Twitter: @AvianBiologyRes E-mail: abr@sciencereviews.co.uk

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