Meeting Abstract

P1.139  Saturday, Jan. 4 15:30  Handling prior to blood sampling relates to corticosterone but not to heat shock protein 60 in the Tufted Titmouse KIMMITT, A.A.*; DOLBY, A.S. ; O’DELL, D.A. ; CARLO, M.A. ; Indiana University, Bloomington; University of Mary Washington; University of Mary Washington; Clemson University aakimmitt@gmail.com

In past studies, corticosterone (CORT) has been used as the primary indicator of chronic stress in birds. CORT, however, responds to acute distress caused by handling, which can provide logistical challenges in circumstances where capture and sampling are difficult to quickly achieve. Heat shock proteins have received increasing attention as potential indicators of chronic stress, but remain understudied, particularly in birds. Further, little is known about their response to handling time. In this study, we investigated heat shock protein 60 (Hsp60) as an alternative indicator of stress. We compared the response of CORT and heat shock protein 60 (Hsp60) to handling time. Blood samples were collected from Tufted Titmouse ( Baeolophus bicolor ) that were captured in mist nets following visits to winter feeding stations. The time in which birds were handled prior to blood sampling varied. We used ELISAs to assay for CORT and Hsp60 concentrations. CORT levels were significantly correlated with handling time (p < 0.001), but Hsp60 concentrations were not significantly correlated with handling time. (p=0.754). The hypothesis that Hsp60 is less sensitive than CORT to acute distress caused by handling was supported by our results. Researchers may consider evaluating both heat shock proteins and CORT in the future, to yield a more comprehensive evaluation of stress, especially in situations when handling time may be inconsistent.