Stress
Short-term stress in birds: using leukocyte coping capacity (LCC) as an additional proxy to measure stress in birds
Measuring concentration of glucocorticoids (GC) is a well-established method to quantify stress. However, due to their dual function and their involvement in a number of physiological process, the meaning of GC levels can be difficult to interpret. Because stress strongly affects the immune system, a new technique called Leukocyte Coping Capacity (LCC) was recently put forward to quantify animals stress condition. In this project we are trying to understand the relationship between the GC response and LCC response in birds.
Researcher: Virginie Canoine
In collaboration with: Nikolaus Huber, Research Institute of Wildlife Ecology, Department of Integrative Biology and Evolution, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria & Leonida Fusani, Laboratory of Ornithology, Konrad-Lorenz Institute of Ethology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna,Department of Cognitive Biology, University of Vienna
Adaptation to extreme physiological condition such as migration
Birds migrating from their breeding grounds to their wintering grounds and vice versa undergo extreme changes in their physiology and are exposed to a large array of stressors. We study how birds adapt their response to environmental stressors during this life history stage and how their capacity to respond is affected by condition and nutritional state.
Researcher: Virginie Canoine
In collaboration with: Leonida Fusani, Laboratory of Ornithology, Konrad-Lorenz Institute of Ethology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna/ Department of Cognitive Biology, University of Vienna
Long-lasting effects on the stress response due to predator exposure
In this project we study how long term predator exposure affects physiological stress response and telomere length in house sparrows.
Researcher: Virginie Canoine
In collaboration with: Benjamino Tuliozi & Matteo Griggio, Department of Biology, University of Padova, Herbert Hoi, Laboratory of Ornithology, Konrad-Lorenz Institute of Ethology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna