Baseline corticosterone is associated with parental care in virgin Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica).
Horm Behav
; 124: 104781, 2020 08.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-32511968
ABSTRACT
Glucocorticoids (GCs) are thought to impact reproductive success, and ultimately fitness. In this study we focus specifically on the relationship between GCs and parental care. Captive bred Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) do not show spontaneous parental care behavior, however this behavior can be induced through a sensitization procedure. We investigated how the GC status of Japanese quail relates to parental care in animals of both sexes exposed or not to a chick sensitization treatment. To assess GC status, we obtained baseline plasma and feather cort samples, and used the HPA-axis function test to assess stress responsiveness by examining the response to a standardized stressor as well as negative feedback efficacy through dexamethasone injection. Next, birds were either exposed to chicks overnight in a small enclosure (sensitization treatment) or were enclosed but not exposed to chicks (control). The following morning, adult behaviors were filmed in the presence of a fresh set of chicks for 20 min. A final serum GC sample was obtained to assess if exposure to novel chicks was perceived as stressful. In control animals, baseline GCs were associated with increased total parental care duration and decreased latency to first parental care event. Interestingly, the opposite relationship was found in the sensitization group. Finally, exposure to novel chicks was not associated with an increase in corticosterone in either group. Overall it appears that baseline GCs are correlated with parental care in captive bred Japanese quail, and that the relationship changes direction depending on whether or not sensitization has occurred.
Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Corticosterona
/
Coturnix
/
Comportamento de Nidação
Tipo de estudo:
Risk_factors_studies
Limite:
Animals
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2020
Tipo de documento:
Article