Measuring ketones in the field : rapid and reliable measures of β-hydroxybutyrate in birds

• Ketone bodies such as β-hydroxybutyrate are important indicators of metabolic condition in birds and are linked to a suite of ecologically relevant factors including migratory decision-making, hunger level and ectoparasite load. Portable point-of-care (POC) devices designed to measure ketones in humans offer a cheap and easy solution to field physiologists in comparison with previous laboratory methods; however, their accuracy for use in birds has received scant attention. Here, we assessed the accuracy of a POC ketone meter (FreeStyle Precision Neo, Abbott, IL, USA) using samples from intermittently fed Red Junglefowl Gallus gallus. Although the device overestimated ketone levels in comparison with laboratory-derived values, random error was low and laboratory vs. device values correlated well, indicating that the Precision Neo is of sufficient accuracy for use in the field and is a pragmatic choice for avian physiologists.

Ämnesord

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Biologi -- Ekologi (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Biological Sciences -- Ecology (hsv//eng)

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Medicinska och farmaceutiska grundvetenskaper -- Fysiologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Basic Medicine -- Physiology (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

intermittent feeding

ketosis

point-of-care

Red Junglefowl

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