Do migrant and resident species differ in the timing of increases in reproductive and thyroid hormone secretion and body mass? A case study in the comparison of pre-breeding physiological rhythms in the Eurasian Skylark and Asian Short-toed Lark

Abstract Background Physiological preparation for reproduction in small passerines involves the increased secretion of reproductive hormones, elevation of the metabolic rate and energy storage, all of which are essential for reproduction. However, it is unclear whether the timing of the physiologica...

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Main Authors: Lidan Zhao, Lijun Gao, Wenyu Yang, Xianglong Xu, Weiwei Wang, Wei Liang, Shuping Zhang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: KeAi Communications Co., Ltd. 2017-04-01
Series:Avian Research
Subjects:
Online Access:http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40657-017-0068-3
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author Lidan Zhao
Lijun Gao
Wenyu Yang
Xianglong Xu
Weiwei Wang
Wei Liang
Shuping Zhang
author_facet Lidan Zhao
Lijun Gao
Wenyu Yang
Xianglong Xu
Weiwei Wang
Wei Liang
Shuping Zhang
author_sort Lidan Zhao
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Physiological preparation for reproduction in small passerines involves the increased secretion of reproductive hormones, elevation of the metabolic rate and energy storage, all of which are essential for reproduction. However, it is unclear whether the timing of the physiological processes involved is the same in resident and migrant species that breed in the same area. To answer this question, we compared temporal variation in the plasma concentration of luteinizing hormone (LH), testosterone (T), estradiol (E2), triiothyronine (T3) and body mass, between a migrant species, the Eurasian Skylark (Alauda arvensis) and a resident species, the Asian Short-toed Lark (Calandrella cheleensis), both of which breed in northeastern Inner Mongolia, China, during the 2014 and 2015 breeding seasons. Methods Twenty adult Eurasian Skylarks and twenty Asian Short-toed Larks were captured on March 15, 2014 and 2015 and housed in out-door aviaries. Plasma LH, T (males), E2 (females), T3 and the body mass of each bird were measured every six days from March 25 to May 6. Results With the exception of T, which peaked earlier in the Asian Short-toed Lark in 2014, plasma concentrations of LH, T, E2 andT3 of both species peaked at almost the same time. However, Asian Short-toed Larks attained peak body mass earlier than Eurasian Skylarks. Plasma T3 concentrations peaked 12 days earlier than plasma LH in both species. Generally, plasma LH, T, E2, T3 and body mass, peaked earlier in both species in 2014 than 2015. Conclusions The timing of pre-reproductive changes in the endocrine system and energy metabolism can be the same in migrant and resident species; however, residents may accumulate energy reserves faster than migrants. Although migration does not affect the timing of pre-breeding reproductive and metabolic changes, migrant species may need more time to increase their body mass. T levels in resident species may be accelerated by higher spring temperatures that may also advance the pre-breeding preparation of both migrants and residents.
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spelling doaj.art-9c0993d34c6546f2bd4bac857f736c082023-01-02T22:22:04ZengKeAi Communications Co., Ltd.Avian Research2053-71662017-04-01811910.1186/s40657-017-0068-3Do migrant and resident species differ in the timing of increases in reproductive and thyroid hormone secretion and body mass? A case study in the comparison of pre-breeding physiological rhythms in the Eurasian Skylark and Asian Short-toed LarkLidan Zhao0Lijun Gao1Wenyu Yang2Xianglong Xu3Weiwei Wang4Wei Liang5Shuping Zhang6College of Life and Environment Sciences, Minzu University of ChinaCollege of Life and Environment Sciences, Minzu University of ChinaCollege of Life and Environment Sciences, Minzu University of ChinaCollege of Life and Environment Sciences, Minzu University of ChinaCollege of Life and Environment Sciences, Minzu University of ChinaMinistry of Education Key Laboratory for Tropical Animal and Plant Ecology, College of Life Sciences, Hainan Normal UniversityCollege of Life and Environment Sciences, Minzu University of ChinaAbstract Background Physiological preparation for reproduction in small passerines involves the increased secretion of reproductive hormones, elevation of the metabolic rate and energy storage, all of which are essential for reproduction. However, it is unclear whether the timing of the physiological processes involved is the same in resident and migrant species that breed in the same area. To answer this question, we compared temporal variation in the plasma concentration of luteinizing hormone (LH), testosterone (T), estradiol (E2), triiothyronine (T3) and body mass, between a migrant species, the Eurasian Skylark (Alauda arvensis) and a resident species, the Asian Short-toed Lark (Calandrella cheleensis), both of which breed in northeastern Inner Mongolia, China, during the 2014 and 2015 breeding seasons. Methods Twenty adult Eurasian Skylarks and twenty Asian Short-toed Larks were captured on March 15, 2014 and 2015 and housed in out-door aviaries. Plasma LH, T (males), E2 (females), T3 and the body mass of each bird were measured every six days from March 25 to May 6. Results With the exception of T, which peaked earlier in the Asian Short-toed Lark in 2014, plasma concentrations of LH, T, E2 andT3 of both species peaked at almost the same time. However, Asian Short-toed Larks attained peak body mass earlier than Eurasian Skylarks. Plasma T3 concentrations peaked 12 days earlier than plasma LH in both species. Generally, plasma LH, T, E2, T3 and body mass, peaked earlier in both species in 2014 than 2015. Conclusions The timing of pre-reproductive changes in the endocrine system and energy metabolism can be the same in migrant and resident species; however, residents may accumulate energy reserves faster than migrants. Although migration does not affect the timing of pre-breeding reproductive and metabolic changes, migrant species may need more time to increase their body mass. T levels in resident species may be accelerated by higher spring temperatures that may also advance the pre-breeding preparation of both migrants and residents.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40657-017-0068-3Alauda arvensisCalandrella cheleensisPre-breedingPhysiological preparationMigratory birds
spellingShingle Lidan Zhao
Lijun Gao
Wenyu Yang
Xianglong Xu
Weiwei Wang
Wei Liang
Shuping Zhang
Do migrant and resident species differ in the timing of increases in reproductive and thyroid hormone secretion and body mass? A case study in the comparison of pre-breeding physiological rhythms in the Eurasian Skylark and Asian Short-toed Lark
Avian Research
Alauda arvensis
Calandrella cheleensis
Pre-breeding
Physiological preparation
Migratory birds
title Do migrant and resident species differ in the timing of increases in reproductive and thyroid hormone secretion and body mass? A case study in the comparison of pre-breeding physiological rhythms in the Eurasian Skylark and Asian Short-toed Lark
title_full Do migrant and resident species differ in the timing of increases in reproductive and thyroid hormone secretion and body mass? A case study in the comparison of pre-breeding physiological rhythms in the Eurasian Skylark and Asian Short-toed Lark
title_fullStr Do migrant and resident species differ in the timing of increases in reproductive and thyroid hormone secretion and body mass? A case study in the comparison of pre-breeding physiological rhythms in the Eurasian Skylark and Asian Short-toed Lark
title_full_unstemmed Do migrant and resident species differ in the timing of increases in reproductive and thyroid hormone secretion and body mass? A case study in the comparison of pre-breeding physiological rhythms in the Eurasian Skylark and Asian Short-toed Lark
title_short Do migrant and resident species differ in the timing of increases in reproductive and thyroid hormone secretion and body mass? A case study in the comparison of pre-breeding physiological rhythms in the Eurasian Skylark and Asian Short-toed Lark
title_sort do migrant and resident species differ in the timing of increases in reproductive and thyroid hormone secretion and body mass a case study in the comparison of pre breeding physiological rhythms in the eurasian skylark and asian short toed lark
topic Alauda arvensis
Calandrella cheleensis
Pre-breeding
Physiological preparation
Migratory birds
url http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40657-017-0068-3
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