Age-correlation of blood values in the Rock Pigeon (Columba livia)

Hematological adaptations to age (1–17 years) and about variability per se for free-living rock pigeons Columba livia are presented. Increasing age is correlated with decreasing values of hematocrit and hemoglobin. A marked reduction of lactate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.27) activity in the first 2–3 y...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Comparative biochemistry and physiology. Part A, Molecular & integrative physiology Molecular & integrative physiology, 2010-07, Vol.156 (3), p.351-356
Main Authors: Prinzinger, Roland, Misovic, Andrea
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Age
Aging - blood
Aging - physiology
Analysis of Variance
Animals
Blood components
Blood Glucose - metabolism
Chlorides - blood
Columba livia
Columbidae - blood
Columbidae - physiology
Female
Hematocrit
Hemoglobins - metabolism
L-Lactate Dehydrogenase - metabolism
Male
Plasma chemistry
Reference Values
Rock pigeon
Season
Sexual variation
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Summary:Hematological adaptations to age (1–17 years) and about variability per se for free-living rock pigeons Columba livia are presented. Increasing age is correlated with decreasing values of hematocrit and hemoglobin. A marked reduction of lactate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.27) activity in the first 2–3 years may be caused by a training-based increase of the relative portion of the aerobically working red breast muscles (responsible for endurance) at the expense of the proportion of anaerobically working white breast muscles. The age-correlated increase in glucose could indicate a decreasing tolerance for carbohydrates. Optimal flight performance is achieved by the doves at an age of about 2–3 years; the high performance is retained until an age range of 7–9 years.
ISSN:1095-6433
1531-4332
DOI:10.1016/j.cbpa.2009.07.028