Meeting Abstract
In birds, acute stress generally causes an increase in core body temperature. During this stress-induced hyperthermia, blood flow is redirected from peripheral tissues such as the bill and legs, which then causes a decrease in skin temperature. While this mechanism is understood, less is known about how peripheral tissues are involved in body temperature regulation during illness (i.e. the acute phase response). To determine if immune-challenged birds direct body heat using the same mechanism as birds experiencing stress, we injected zebra finches ( Taeniopygia guttata ) with a bacterial endotoxin and monitored skin temperature and core temperature using infrared thermography and thermal PIT tags respectively. Results concerning the degree and timing of changes in skin temperature relative to core temperature will be discussed.
