Corticosterone effects on body mass and digestive function in Passer domesticus.

PADRONES MN; CID F.; CHEDIACK, JG

San Luis

Congreso; Reunión Científica Anual de la Sociedad de Biología de Cuyo; 2017

Universidad Nacional de San Luis

It is well documented that stress produces metabolic alterations and an allostatic response (activation of the HPA axis and increase of corticosterone -CORT- levels in blood) to maintain homeostasis in organisms. The objective of this work was to study the long-term CORT effects on the corporal condition and the digestive function in Passer domesticus. To achieve our goal, 32 sparrows were exposed to different concentrations of CORT in drinking water (0, 20, 40 and 80 mg/l) for 72 hours emulating a long-term stress situation. The heterophil to lymphocyte ratio (H/L) was used as an indicator of stress in birds. The mass of animals and organs (heart, pancreas, stomach, intestine, shank and pectoral muscle) were measured. On the other hand, the intestinal enzymatic activity of sucrase, maltase and aminopeptidase was determined. We analyzed the data using ANOVA with Tukey post-hoc test (p<0.05). We found a proportional increase in the H/L index in concordance with CORT treatments and a significant decrease in body mass in 80 mg/l of CORT group. Differences in the mass of heart, liver, pancreas, stomach,intestine and shank muscle were not found, but a significant decrease in pectoral muscle mass was observed in birds exposed to 40 and 80 mg/l of CORT. Enzymatic activity of sucrase and maltase decreased onthe proximal section. In conclusion, long-term CORT exposure modifies the corporal condition and the digestive function (affecting carbohydrates digestion). Supported by UNSL 2-0516 to FDC and UNSL 2-0814 to ECV-JGC.