Metabolic adjustments of a wild passerine to acute stress and heat acclimation
Description
Data were collected during a study on Arizona House Finches in which we compared morphological characteristics, food intake, and blood metabolite concentrations in a CONTROL group (COLD group, C) with those in a heat-exposed group (HOT group, H). Data were collected for each bird at the time of capture (morphology only) and in captivity, before (PRE-TREATMENT) and then one and two weeks after birds were randomly assigned to the COLD or the HOT treatment. In addition, blood metabolite concentrations were measured at baseline and again after 30 min of handling/mild restraint stress.
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Steps to reproduce
Capture 20 House Finches from local population, bring into captivity, hold in individual cages throughout study. Birds undergo 3 wks of acclimation (20 C), then randomly divided into two groups (N=10/grp): COLD (20 C) and HOT (27 C - 35 C daily cycle of temperature) for 2 wks. Measure morphological parameters (body mass, fat reserves) and 24 hr food intake Collect blood samples to measure plasma uric acid, plasma ketones, and erythrocyte TBARS and proteins using standard laboratory methods. Blood sample are collected within 3 min of removal from home cage (= baseline) and again after 30 min of handling/restraint (bird placed in paper bag; = stress) to determine effects of acute stress.