La Tour du Valat

Institut de recherche pour la conservation des zones humides méditerranéennes

Titre :	Plasma carotenoid depletion during fasting in moulting penguins
Auteurs :	A. Barbosa, Auteur ; M. J. Palacios, Auteur ; J. J. Negro, Auteur ; J. J. Cuervo, Auteur
Type de document :	Article
Dans :	Journal of Ornithology (154(2) APR 2013)
Article en page(s) :	559-562
Langues:	Anglais
Résumé :	The questions of whether carotenoids are mobilized from storage organs or the blood during food shortages or in stressful situations and the amount of carotenoids available in these situations remain contentious. We study the amount of carotenoids circulating in the blood stream in Gentoo Penguins (Pygoscelis papua), taking advantage of the physiological stress produced by fasting during moulting. Carotenoids are not detectable in the blood after 1 week of fasting during moulting in Gentoo Penguins, whereas breeding adults and chicks show a high concentration of astaxanthin. Our results suggest that carotenoids are consumed in physiologically stressful processes other than ornamentation.

Lundi , mardi et jeudi de 9h à 12h et de 13h à 17h00 : ouverture au public ...