10.5061/DRYAD.864BV
Mabuchi, Yuko
La Trobe University
Frankel, Theresa L.
La Trobe University
Data from: Functions of innate and acquired immune system are reduced in
domestic pigeons (Columba livia domestica) given a low protein diet
Dryad
dataset
2016
Antibody production
Domestic pigeons
Columba livia domestica
Lymphocyte proliferation
Maintenance protein requirement
Phagocytosis
2016-03-21T12:22:26Z
2016-03-21T12:22:26Z
en
https://doi.org/10.1098/rsos.150408
54223 bytes
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CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain Dedication
Racing pigeons are exposed to and act as carriers of diseases. Dietary
protein requirement for their maintenance has not been determined
experimentally despite their being domesticated for over 7000 years. A
maintenance nitrogen (protein) requirement (MNR) for pigeons was
determined in a balance study using diets containing 6, 10 and 14% crude
protein (CP). Then, the effects of feeding the diets were investigated to
determine whether they were adequate to sustain innate and acquired immune
functions. Nitrogen intake from the 6% CP diet was sufficient to maintain
nitrogen balance and body weight in pigeons. However, the immune functions
of phagocytosis, oxidative burst and lymphocyte proliferation in pigeons
fed this diet were reduced compared with those fed 10 and 14% CP diets.
Pigeons given the 6 and 10% CP diets had lower antibody titres following
inoculation against Newcastle disease (ND) than those on the 14% CP diet.
A confounding factor found on autopsy was the presence of intestinal
parasites in some of the pigeons given the 6 and 10% CP diets; however,
none of the pigeons used to measure MNR or acquired immunity to ND were
infested with parasites. In conclusion, neither the 6 nor 10% CP diets
adequately sustained acquired immune function of pigeons.
Supplementary material file_raw dataData for a nitrogen balance study and
immune studies
Australia