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First published online March 2, 2007
Journal of Experimental Biology 210, 1064-1074 (2007)
Published by The Company of Biologists 2007
doi: 10.1242/jeb.02724
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Characterization of very-low density lipoprotein particle diameter dynamics in relation to egg production in a passerine bird

Katrina G. Salvante1,*, Gina Lin2, Rosemary L. Walzem2 and Tony D. Williams1

1 Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, British Columbia, V5A 1S6, Canada
2 Poultry Science Department, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA


Figure 1
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  		Fig. 1. Histogram plots of correlation coefficients, r, for specific particle diameter classes of very-low density lipoprotein (VLDL) isolated from the plasma of (A) laying chickens [fig. 6 from Walzem (Walzem, 1996Go)], and (B) laying zebra finches. Correlation coefficients were generated from correlations between the proportion of VLDL particles within each diameter class and subsequent egg production (i.e. laying rate in chickens and mean egg mass in zebra finches). VLDL particle diameter classes with r>0 were positively associated with egg production, and were therefore included in estimates of yolk-targeted VLDL (VLDLy) particle diameter range.

 

Figure 2
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  		Fig. 2. Influence of fasting on (A) daily seed consumption of breeding pairs of zebra finches, and on (B) body mass, (C) plasma triacylglyceride levels, (D) the proportion of very-low density lipoprotein (VLDL) particles available for use by the developing ovarian follicles as defined by the proposed selective sieving properties of the ovary, i.e. the proportion of particles that fell within the sVLDLy diameter range (25–44 nm), (E) modal VLDL particle diameter, and (F) VLDL particle diameter distribution range of laying female zebra finches.

 

Figure 3
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  		Fig. 3. The effects of egg-food supplementation and reproductive activity on (A) body mass, (B) plasma triacylglyceride levels, (C) modal very-low density lipoprotein (VLDL) particle diameter and (D) VLDL particle diameter distribution range of male zebra finches.

 

Figure 4
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  		Fig. 4. Very-low density lipoprotein (VLDL) particle diameter distributions of laying and non-laying female (A) zebra finches and (B) chickens. Grey shading indicate estimates of yolk-targeted VLDL (VLDLy) particle diameter range based on (in A) the proposed sieving properties of the ovary limiting access of VLDL particles to the developing ovarian follicles (sVLDLy range: 25–44 nm) or (in B) the idea that there is a positive relationship between VLDL particle diameter classes and laying rate in chickens that are better able to support continuous egg production (cVLDLy range: 21.5–51.1).

 




© The Company of Biologists Ltd 2007