Meeting Abstract

P2.33  Sunday, Jan. 5 15:30  Effects of an arbovirus infection on nestling house sparrow digestive enzyme activity WALEK, M*; KAWAMOTO, B; SHRESTHA, R; TRAN, T; FASSBINDER-ORTH, C; Creighton University; Creighton University; Creighton University; Creighton University; Creighton University carolfassbinder-orth@creighton.edu

The effects of arboviruses on nestling bird development and digestion have been understudied. In this study, we analyzed the effects of two strains of an arthropod borne alphavirus called Buggy Creek Virus (BCRV-A and BCRV-B) on house sparrow digestive enzyme function. Tissue samples were taken from the pancreas, duodenum, jejunum, and ileum of nestling house sparrows 2, 3, and 4 days post infection (at 9,10 and 11 days of age) in order to test digestive enzyme function. The tissue samples were cut, weighed, and homogenized. Enzymatic activity was then quantified for the pancreatic enzymes trypsin, chymotrypsin, amylase, and lipase as well as the membrane-bound intestinal enzymes maltase and aminopeptidase-N. Maltase activity in nestling house sparrows infected with BCRV-A was significantly lower than control nestlings 2,3, and 4 days post infection while maltase activity in response to BCRV-B infection was significantly lower in nestlings 2 and 3 days post infection. There was no effect of BCRV infection on aminopeptidase-N infection. BCRV-A infection significantly decreased amylase activity all three days (2, 3, and 4) post infection, but BCRV-B had no apparent effect on amylase activity compared to control birds. BCRV-A infection decreased lipase, trypsin, and chymotrypsin activity 3 and 4 days post infection, but no changes in activity were recorded for these enzymes in the BCRV-B infected birds compared to control. These results indicate that BCRV-A impairs nestling house sparrow digestive enzyme function more than BCRV-B, which may contribute to the decreased digestive efficiency and growth that has been documented for BCRV-A infections in nestling house sparrows.