Anti-parasite treatment and blood biochemistry in raptor nestlings

Author's accepted version (postprint). 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...

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Bibliographic Details
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 L.B., Covaci, Adrian, Eens, Marcel, Halley, Duncan John, Erikstad, Kjell Einar, Ims, Rolf Anker
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: NRC Research Press 2017
Subjects:
VDP::Zoologiske og botaniske fag: 480
VDP::Zoology and botany: 480
Norway
Accipiter gentilis
Haliaeetus albicilla
Northern Goshawk
White-tailed eagle
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/11250/2459109
https://doi.org/10.1139/cjz-2016-0040
Description
Summary:Author's accepted version (postprint). 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. acceptedVersion

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