Meeting Abstract
Aerobic capacity has been long assumed to be one of the key determinants of individual performance. Since hematocrit (Hct) and hemoglobin (Hb) are often assumed to be the main predictors of oxygen carrying capacity, many studies have tried to manipulate hematology to alter aerobic capacity and thus, individual quality. Given that phenylhydrazine (PHZ) injection, one of the most popular methods to manipulate hematology in birds, is problematic when trying to manipulate aerobic capacity due to its side effects, development of new techniques to manipulate Hct and Hb is essential. We propose using chicken erythropoietin (EPO) and anti-erythropoietin (anti-EPO) to manipulate hematology. EPO plays a critical role in erythropoiesis and is relatively well studied in mammals. However, it is unclear whether EPO modulates erythropoiesis the same way in birds. Furthermore, unlike PHZ, EPO is more specific in its action and is present endogenously in birds. We sought to investigate the effects of EPO and anti-EPO on Hct and Hb in captive zebra finch, Taeniopygia guttata. We ran two experimental trials. In trial 1, we measured baseline Hct and Hb at day 0 in 19 male zebra finches. At day 7, we assigned birds to 3 groups: EPO (n=5; 400pg), Saline (n=9), and anti-EPO (n=5; 12µL). We measured Hct and Hb at day 10, 3 days after EPO and anti-EPO injection, and again at day 17. We conducted trial 2 using the same protocol, except we changed the dose of EPO to 800pg and the dose of anti-EPO to 10µL. Preliminary analysis suggested that there was a 5.6% increase in Hct in the EPO group, and a 5.4% decrease in Hct in the anti-EPO group. Thus avian EPO and anti-EPO treatment might be an effective method for experimental manipulation of Hct.
