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Relationship between Dietary Profile and Blood Glucose Concentration in Birds
Author(s) -
Basile Anthony J.,
Jarrett Catherine L.,
Sweazea Karen L.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.2018.32.1_supplement.602.3
Subject(s) - insectivore , omnivore , biology , carnivore , frugivore , piscivore , captivity , zoology , endocrinology , medicine , ecology , predation , predator , habitat
Diet throughout the life history of a species may contribute to their unique fuel physiology. Aves are unique in the animal kingdom as they evolved to have the highest plasma glucose (Pglu) concentration of any animal class. While Pglu is negatively correlated with body mass in Aves, there is considerable variation in Pglu among birds of similar body mass. A potential explanation for this variability may be dietary differences. Therefore, the goal of this study was to determine whether Pglu is related to diet profile (herbivore, omnivore, insectivore, frugivore/nectarivore, carnivore, granivore, and piscivore) within and across animal classes. Data on diet profile, Pglu, and body mass were obtained for 375 species of animals (Amphibia, n = 6; Aves, n = 163; Mammalia, n = 121, Reptilia, n = 85) housed at The Phoenix Zoo in Arizona. Data were analyzed using one‐way ANOVA and Dunn's post hoc analyses with p‐values of < 0.05 considered statistically significant. Data from captive animals are advantageous as the dietary profile and life history of each animal is known, thereby minimizing the unpredictability of wildlife. Consistent with prior studies, Aves maintained the highest Pglu among vertebrates (16.20 mM/L ± 0.26, p < 0.05). Within Aves, animals consuming either insectivorous or granivorous diets had the highest Pglu (p < 0.05). For insectivores, the high glucose concentrations are likely attributed to de novo hepatic and renal gluconeogenesis. Similarly, within Reptilia insectivorous animals maintain the highest Pglu (p < 0.05). No significant differences were found between dietary profile in Mammals (p > 0.05). Understanding the relationship between dietary profiles and Pglu may contribute to our understanding of why Aves evolved to have the highest glucose concentrations among vertebrates. This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal .