Plasma concentration of alpha-tocopherol in different free-ranging birds of prey
In this study, we investigated the alpha-tocopherol plasma concentrations in healthy free-ranging nestlings of the white-tailed sea eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla) (n=32), osprey (Pandion haliaetus) (n=39), northern goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) (n=25), common buzzard (Buteo buteo) (n=31), and honey buz...
Published in: | European Journal of Wildlife Research |
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Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , |
Format: | Article in Journal/Newspaper |
Language: | English |
Published: |
2011
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Subjects: | |
Online Access: | https://publishup.uni-potsdam.de/opus4-ubp/frontdoor/index/index/docId/36584 https://doi.org/10.1007/s10344-011-0516-z |
Summary: | In this study, we investigated the alpha-tocopherol plasma concentrations in healthy free-ranging nestlings of the white-tailed sea eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla) (n=32), osprey (Pandion haliaetus) (n=39), northern goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) (n=25), common buzzard (Buteo buteo) (n=31), and honey buzzard (Pernis apivorus) (n=18) as well as of free-ranging adults of the white-tailed sea eagle (n=10), osprey (n=31), and northern goshawk (n=45). alpha-Tocopherol plasma concentrations were determined by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. alpha-Tocopherol plasma concentrations in nestlings of osprey, white-tailed sea eagle, and northern goshawk did not differ significantly amongst the species, but the common buzzard and honey buzzard nestlings had significantly lower alpha-tocopherol plasma concentrations than nestlings of the other species (both P<0.001). Adult male ospreys and white-tailed sea eagles had significantly higher alpha-tocopherol concentrations compared to adult females (both P<0.005). Adult ospreys and northern goshawks had significantly higher alpha-tocopherol plasma concentrations compared to their nestlings (both P<0.001). In adult female northern goshawks, plasma concentrations of alpha-tocopherol increased significantly before egg laying (P<0.001). These results demonstrate alpha-tocopherol plasma concentrations in birds of prey to be species specific and influenced by age and reproductive status. |
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