Ontogeny of non-shivering thermogenesis in Muscovy ducklings (Cairina moschata)

摘要: Abstract In precocial birds, developing the capacity for early regulatory thermogenesis appears as a fundamental prerequisite survival and growth in cold environments. However, exact nature of these processes has not been thoroughly investigated. Several bird species, such Muscovy ducks (Cairina moschata), develop muscular non-shivering when chronically exposed to cold. The aim this study was investigate age-dependent development ducklings reared either at thermoneutrality (25 °C) or (4 °C). Non-shivering assessed weekly by simultaneously measuring whole body metabolic heat production electromyographic activity during shivering different temperatures ranging from 29 °C 0 °C. We found that displayed first month post-hatching life. This thermogenic mechanism increased further environment, but it decreased over time birds were kept thermoneutral environment.