Researchers discover: songbirds do without the appetite stimulant ghrelin!

Researchers discover: songbirds do without the appetite stimulant ghrelin!

Scientists have found that songbirds have lost an important hormone known for its role in regulating appetite. The hormone ghrelin, which triggers cravings in humans, plays a different role in most bird species: in pigeons and quails, it reduces the desire to eat. A new study conducted by a team led by Leonida Fusani at the Konrad Lorenz Institute for Comparative Behavioral Research (KLIVV) focused on the garden warbler (Sylvia borin) and discovered that these songbirds do not have a gene for ghrelin. The results were published in the journal “Royal Society Open Science”. According to the researchers, the loss of this hormone could allow songbirds to put on a lot of fat before a migration, which is crucial for the long flights ahead.

The loss of the ghrelin hormone could cause passerines to double their body weight in order to optimally prepare for the upcoming rigors of migration. Experiments with other bird species show that songbirds generally do not have ghrelin genes. This raises questions about the adaptive mechanisms that help these birds control their fat storage more effectively.

Physiological adaptations in migratory birds

Migratory birds that travel long distances between breeding and wintering areas show special physiological adaptations that are being intensively studied by researchers. A significant finding is that their main source of energy is the fat reserves built up before migratory flights. In an international study in which the Konrad Lorenz Institute is involved, the role of corticosterone and ghrelin in quail (Coturnix coturnix) was examined in more detail. The quail were exposed to controlled changes in day length to simulate the effects of autumn migration.

The results show that the occurrence of the migratory phenotype is associated with higher ghrelin concentrations, meaning that the hormone plays an essential role in preparation for bird migration. In addition, ghrelin correlates with changes in bird body mass during these crucial phases. However, no significant relationship between ghrelin and corticosterone levels was found in this study, further highlighting the complexity of hormonal mechanisms.

Impact on human health research

The research findings on songbirds and their use of ghrelin could have far-reaching implications for our understanding of human health problems. In particular, they could provide insights into the mechanisms of obesity and eating disorders. Understanding the processes by which birds build and regulate their fat reserves can help draw analogies to human eating trends and weight regulation.

Overall, the results of these studies provide important insights into the evolutionary adaptations of birds and their ability to prepare for long journeys. As intensive research into these mechanisms continues, the connection between bird biology and human health may become even clearer in the coming years.

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