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Effects of corticosteroids on oxidative damage and circulating carotenoids in captive adult kestrels (Falco tinnunculus)

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Abstract

Birds control body homeostasis through the secretion of corticosterone. This hormone is the end-product of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis response to stressors. High levels of corticosterone may be associated with low individual fitness and may affect balance between pro-oxidants and antioxidants. Given these points, chronic stress modulated by hormones could undermine individual fitness by increasing oxidative tissue damage. In this study, we administered corticosteroids by diet (20 mg/kg of diet) to captive adult kestrels (Falco tinnunculus) over a 14-day period to evaluate the effects of a simulated chronic stress modulated by corticosteroids. We found that dietary administration of corticosterone caused a 32% increase of reactive oxygen metabolites, but did not impair total serum antioxidant capacity, serum carotenoids or body mass. Oxidative stress had a 64% increase in treated birds compared to 30% in controls. The two groups did not differ in the total serum antioxidant capacity, which showed a significant decrease over the study period. In contrast, circulating carotenoids and body mass increased in both groups. These results suggest that stress hormones, such as corticosterone, may also act as modulators of oxidative stress in birds.

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Acknowledgments

We are grateful to the rehabilitation centres of the Lega Italiana Protezione Uccelli (LIPU) sections of Latina and Rome, the Circeo National Park, the Forestry Service of Pescara, Bosco San Silvestro (Caserta), the Vico Natural Reserve (Caprarola, VT) and WWF Astroni for providing the birds used in this study. We thank Nadia Macciocchi, Fernando and Serena Costantini for help with the animal care; the scientific association Ornis italica for supporting part of this research; the three anonymous reviewers for valuable comments on the manuscript; Martina Muller for revising the English. David Costantini is grateful to Gianfranco Brambilla and Edoardo Vignolo for technical and logistical support at the Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome. David Costantini was supported by a PhD fellowship issued from the University La Sapienza.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dipartimento di Biologia Animale e dell’Uomo, Università La Sapienza, Viale dell’Università 32, 00185, Rome, Italy

    David Costantini & Alberto Fanfani

  2. Ornis italica, Piazza Crati 15, 00199, Rome, Italy

    Giacomo Dell’Omo

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  1. David Costantini
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  2. Alberto Fanfani
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  3. Giacomo Dell’Omo
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Correspondence to David Costantini.

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Communicated by G. Heldmaier.

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Costantini, D., Fanfani, A. & Dell’Omo, G. Effects of corticosteroids on oxidative damage and circulating carotenoids in captive adult kestrels (Falco tinnunculus). J Comp Physiol B 178, 829–835 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00360-008-0270-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00360-008-0270-z

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