Physiological and biochemical responses to dietary protein in the omnivore passerine Zonotrichia capensis (Emberizidae)

Sabat P.; Sepulveda-Kattan, E; Maldonado, K

Abstract

We studied the physiological, biochemical and morphological responses of the omnivore sparrow Zonotrichia capensis, a small opportunistic passerine from Central Chile acclimated to high- and low-protein diets. After 4 weeks of acclimation to 30% (high-protein group) or 7% (low-protein group) dietary casein, we collected urine and plasma for nitrogen waste production and osmometry analysis, and measured gross renal morphology. Plasma osmolality and hematocrit were not significantly affected by dietary treatment, but urine osmolality was higher in the high-protein group than in the low-protein group. Kidney and heart masses were higher in animals acclimated to the high-protein diet. Mean total nitrogen waste was significantly higher in the high-protein group, but the proportions of nitrogen excreted as uric acid, urea and ammonia were unaffected by diet. Our data suggest that the response of Z. capensis to an increase in dietary protein content is through greater amounts of total nitrogen excretion and hypertrophy of kidney structures, without any modification of the proportion of excretory compounds. © 2003 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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Título según WOS: Physiological and biochemical responses to dietary protein in the omnivore passerine Zonotrichia capensis (Emberizidae)
Título según SCOPUS: Physiological and biochemical responses to dietary protein in the omnivore passerine Zonotrichia capensis (Emberizidae)
Título de la Revista: COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY A-MOLECULAR & INTEGRATIVE PHYSIOLOGY
Volumen: 137
Número: 2
Editorial: Elsevier Science Inc.
Fecha de publicación: 2004
Página de inicio: 391
Página final: 396
Idioma: English
URL: http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S1095643303003477
DOI:

10.1016/j.cbpb.2003.10.021

Notas: ISI, SCOPUS