Immunoregulatory activity of different dietary carotenoids
in male zebra finches |
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Authors: | Email author" target="_blank">Kevin?J McGrawEmail author Daniel?R Ardia |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA;(2) Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Cornell University, 14853 Ithaca, USA |
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Abstract: | Summary. Many animals use carotenoid pigments to color their integument and become
sexually attractive. These colorants can also serve physiological functions,
protecting cells and tissues from oxidative damage as well as stimulating the immune system.
Because animals often acquire several different carotenoid pigments from their diet,
there is the potential for different carotenoids to exhibit different free-radical-scavenging
or immunoenhancing activity. We experimentally tested how two common dietary
xanthophylls - lutein and zeaxanthin - may differentially affect the immune system in
male zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata). Male
T. guttata derive their red sexual beak colorants from these two carotenoids, and
prior studies with this species have shown that lutein and zeaxanthin together boost cell-mediated
immunity. We experimentally elevated these two dietary carotenoids separately in two
groups of non-breeding zebra finches, but found that lutein-supplemented and zeaxanthin-supplemented
males mounted similar cell-mediated immune responses (to phytohaemagglutinin, or PHA).
Although zeaxanthin is a more conjugated carotenoid than lutein and has the potential
to be a more potent antioxidant, our study suggests that such a subtle structural
difference between these two biochemicals does not differentially affect immune
performance in this songbird. |
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Keywords: | Carotenoid pigments cell-mediated immunity lutein phytohaemagglutinin Taeniopygia guttata zeaxanthin |
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