Growth prior to thermogenesis for a quick fledging of Adelie penguin chicks (Pygoscelis adeliae).

ABSTRACT: The evolutionary trade-off between tissue growth and mature function restricts the post natal development of polar birds. The present study uses an original integrative approach as it includes gene expression, plus biochemical and physiological analysis to investigate how Adélie penguin chicks achieve a rapid growth despite the energetic constraints linked to the cold and the very short breeding season in Antarctica. In pectoralis muscle, the main thermogenic tissue in birds, our data show that the transition from ectothermy to endothermy on Day 15 post- hatching is associated with substantial and coordinated changes in the transcription of key genes. While the early activation of genes controlling cell growth and differentiation (avGHR, avIGF-1R, T3Rβ) is rapidly down-regulated after hatc

SUBMITTER: Degletagne C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3765356 | biostudies-literature | 2013

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature