Abstract
Abstract in Undetermined
The amount of fat of a bird is a fundamental metric commonly used by avian biologists in studies of migration, winter energy management and condition. The methods used for estimating fat content range from simply measuring body mass and subtracting the estimated lean mass, visual scoring of subcutaneous fat deposits, to destructive extraction using a Soxhlet apparatus. We used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for non-invasive estimation of fat content in willow warblers Phylloscopus trochilus. According to an indirect comparison, made using a standardized fat scoring system as a common measure, the MRI method gave very similar fat amount as Soxhlet extraction and we discuss advantages of using MRI over alternative methods. It was also shown that the commonly used fat scoring system yielded a nonlinear relationship between fat mass and fat score.
The amount of fat of a bird is a fundamental metric commonly used by avian biologists in studies of migration, winter energy management and condition. The methods used for estimating fat content range from simply measuring body mass and subtracting the estimated lean mass, visual scoring of subcutaneous fat deposits, to destructive extraction using a Soxhlet apparatus. We used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for non-invasive estimation of fat content in willow warblers Phylloscopus trochilus. According to an indirect comparison, made using a standardized fat scoring system as a common measure, the MRI method gave very similar fat amount as Soxhlet extraction and we discuss advantages of using MRI over alternative methods. It was also shown that the commonly used fat scoring system yielded a nonlinear relationship between fat mass and fat score.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 457-460 |
| Journal | Journal of Avian Biology |
| Volume | 40 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2009 |
Bibliographical note
The information about affiliations in this record was updated in December 2015.The record was previously connected to the following departments: Radiation Physics, Lund (013034000), Theoretical ecology (Closed 2011) (011006011), Department of Ecology (Closed 2011) (011006010)
Subject classification (UKÄ)
- Radiology and Medical Imaging