Meeting Abstract

P3.185  Sunday, Jan. 6  Effects of pre- and post-natal exposure to two antigens on adult stress responsiveness in the zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata) MERRILL, L.*; NAYLOR, M.F.; WASELIK, M.W.; GRINDSTAFF, J.L.; Oklahoma State University; Oklahoma State University; Oklahoma State University; Oklahoma State University loren.merrill@okstate.edu

Pre- and post-natal environments are known to impact the adult phenotype in many ways. In this study we used captive zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata) to examine the effects of pre- and post-natal exposure to two kinds of antigens and a control on hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis reactivity in adults. Prior to breeding, we injected a subset of adult female finches with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) which induces a systemic, febrile response, activates the HPA axis and results in elevated levels of corticosterone (CORT). In another subset, we injected keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) which results in a response comprised primarily of anti-KLH antibodies without activation of the HPA axis. Offspring of the three treatments were themselves broken into subsets and exposed to LPS, KLH or control at the age of 5 days. Offspring were then tested at a minimum age of 18 months to determine the impact of treatments on adult stress responsiveness. Birds were blood-sampled at capture, 10 min and 30 min post capture to assess the strength of the stress response via circulating levels of CORT. We documented differences both in the strength and duration of the stress response among treatment groups, indicating that pre- and post-natal exposure to infectious agents can result in permanent changes in HPA axis reactivity.