Anti-parasite treatment and blood biochemistry in raptor nestlings

• Published in: Canadian Journal of Zoology
• Main Authors: Hanssen, Sveinn Are, Sonne, Christian, Bustnes, Jan Ove, Schnug, Lisbeth, Bourgeon, Sophie, Ballesteros, Manuel, Eulaers, Igor, Moum, Truls Borg, Johnsen, Trond Vidar, Kjelgaard-Hansen, Mads, Herzke, Dorte, Jaspers, Veerle, Covaci, Adrian, Eens, Marcel, Halley, Duncan John, Erikstad, Kjell Einar, Ims, Rolf Anker
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: 2017
• Subjects: VDP::Zoologiske og botaniske fag: 480; VDP::Zoology and botany: 480; Blanche; Norway; Accipiter gentilis; Haliaeetus albicilla; Northern Goshawk; White-tailed eagle
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/11250/2464235; https://doi.org/10.1139/cjz-2016-0040

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. cost of parasitism, BCCVs, blood clinical–chemical variables, raptor, Northern Goshawk, White-tailed Eagle. Résumé : Nous avons étudié les effets du retrait des parasites sur différentes variables chimiocliniques du sang (VCCS). Les VCCS sont des indicateurs de santé, reflétant par exemple l’homéostasie du foie, la fonction rénale et le métabolisme osseux. L’étude a été menée en Norvège sur des oisillons de deux espèces d’oiseau prédateur, le pygargue a` queue blanche (Haliaeetus albicilla (L., 1758)) et l’autour des palombes (Accipiter gentilis (L., 1758)). Les oisillons ...