Corticosterone, inflammation, immune status and telomere length in frigatebird nestlings facing a severe herpesvirus infection.

摘要: Herpesvirus outbreaks are common in natural animal populations, but little is known about factors that favour the infection and its consequences for organism. In this study, we examined pathophysiological of a disease probably attributable to herpesvirus infection several markers immune function, corticosterone, telomere length and inflammation. addition, assessed whether any used study might be associated with occurrence of visible clinical signs disease and impact on short-term survival perspectives. To address our questions, spring 2015, collected blood samples from nestlings magnificent frigatebird (Fregata magnificens) were free any clinical or showed visible disease. We found plasma concentration haptoglobin was strongly associated status could predict probabilities survival. also clinical signs had lower baseline corticosterone concentrations similar compared healthy nestlings, whereas did not find association innate defenses nitric oxide concentration. Overall, results suggest valuable tool assess survival probabilities facing outbreak.