Meeting Abstract
We investigated if the period of daily food availability affects circadian clock governed behavioral patterns and testis growth in zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata). Adult male zebra finches were exposed to 12 h light: 12 h darkness, with food for 4 hours in the evening (hour 8-12 after light on), with controls on food ad libitum for different durations, 1, 3 or 4 weeks. We video graphed and monitored daily pattern in the perch hopping, feeding and preening behaviors, and measured changes in the food intake, body mass and testis size. Body mass did not differ within and between groups, but we found daily variations in birds under the restricted feeding paradigm, with a significant decrease and increase before and after the food availability periods, respectively, perhaps due to food storage in the crop. However, 24 h food intake was not significantly different between restricted ad libitum food availability groups. Also, birds spent similar time in eating in both food availability groups. Daily perch hopping and preening behaviors were altered in birds under restricted feeding regimen. Interestingly, birds showed a significant reduction in the testis size after 1 week of restricted feeding, but then the trend was reversed and testes began to regrow; at the end of week 3 and 4 of restricted feeding testes were not significantly different between two groups. These results show changes in the metabolism and reproductive strategies in animals when they are possibly faced with an unnatural food condition in their habitat.
This work was funded by Science and Engineering Research Board (EMR/2015/002158), New Delhi.
