LE3 .A278 2021

2021

Easy, Russell
Shutler, Dave

Acadia University

Bachelor of Science

Honours

Biology

Biology

Organisms face stresses from all stimuli in their environment and when there is an inadequate response to adapt to environmental stressors it can reduce an individual’s fitness. Protein biomarkers can be good indicators of stress in vertebrates, including birds. I first review limitations to using glucocorticoids and corticosterone (CORT) as exclusive biomarkers for environmental stress, encouraging the exploration of alternative indicators, such as heat shock proteins and oxidative stress enzymes. I tested for stress responses in Leach’s Storm-petrels, Oceanodroma leucorhoa (hereafter LHSP), on Bon Portage Island (43q 28’N, 65q44’W) during the breeding season. Blood samples were collected from the brachial vein of 10 adults and 12 nestlings LHSP. I used SDS-PAGE to separate proteins in blood samples collected from LHSPs. Protein profiles were visualized using a ChemiDoc MP Imaging System and individual protein bands were putatively identified and compared against a ladder of known molecular weight. To identify proteins found in multiple individuals and those that were unique, four protein bands with molecular weights of 50, 60, 70, and 150 kDa were excised and sent for mass spectrometry. The mass spectrometry data will confirm if these bands are heat shock proteins or other metabolites, such as superoxide dismutase, and possible protein biomarkers. These data will contribute to our growing understanding of the stress response in birds and may assist in finding biomarkers of environmental stress in other avian models.

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https://scholar.acadiau.ca/islandora/object/theses:3619