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Abstract
King penguins (Aptenodytes patagonicus) may fast for up to 30 days during their breeding period. As such extended fasting may affect the relationship between the rate of O-2 consumption ((V) over dot O-2) and heart rate (f(H)), five male king penguins were exercised at various speeds on repeated occasions during a fasting period of 24 - 31 days. In addition, (V) over dot O-2 and f(H) were measured in the same animals during rest in cold air and water ( 4 degreesC). (V) over dot O-2 and f(H) at rest and (V) over dot O-2 during exercise decreased with fasting. There was a significant relation between (V) over dot O-2 and f(H) (r(2) = 0.56) that was improved by including speed, body mass (M-b), number of days fasting (t), and a cross term between f(H) and t (r(2) = 0.92). It was concluded that there was a significant change in the (V) over dot O-2-f(H) relationship with fasting during exercise. As t is measurable in the field and was shown to be significant and, therefore, a practical covariate, a regression equation for use when birds are ashore was obtained by removing speed and M-b. When this equation was used, predicted (V) over dot O-2 was in good agreement with the observed data, with an overall error of 3.0%. There was no change in the (V) over dot O-2-f(H) relationship in penguins at rest in water.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 870-877 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | AJP Regulatory Integrative and Comparative Physiology |
Volume | 287 |
Issue number | 4 |
Early online date | 27 May 2004 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 27 May 2004 |
Keywords
- sea bird
- metabolic rate
- heart rate technique
- body composition
- exercise
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Dive into the research topics of 'Effect of fasting on the VO2-f (h) relationship in king penguins, Aptenodytes patagonicus'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.Projects
- 1 Finished
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Ecophysiology of the King Penguin and its usefulness as a Bio-Monitor of Marine Resources in the Southern Ocean.
Butler, P. & Woakes, A.
Natural Environment Research Council
4/03/02 → 3/09/06
Project: Research Councils