Aspen Bibliography

Coniferyl benzoate in quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides): its effect on energy and nitrogen digestion and retention in ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus

Document Type

Article

Journal/Book Title/Conference

Physiological Zoology

Volume

66

Issue

4

First Page

580

Last Page

601

Publication Date

1993

Abstract

Many plant secondary metabolites have been identified as feeding deterrents; however, the physiological effects of these compounds remain largely unknown. Coniferyl benzoate (CB) is the principal secondary metabolite in quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides) flower buds, a primary winter food for ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus), and is a feeding deterrent for grouse and other birds. We conducted mass-balance trials with captive ruffed grouse to determine the efect of this compound on dietary mass and energy assimilation. A method is described for correcting assimilation coeficients for the intake of dietary plant secondary metabolites whereby changes in a bird's ability to utilize dietary mass and energy can be distinguished from artifacts due to energy and mass dilution by plant secondary metabolites. Nitrogenous excretory products were measured to determine nitrogen balance and sources of nitrogen loss. In addition, energy losses resulting from the excretion of CB detoxification products were quantified. Birds that fed on a high CB diet were in negative nitrogen balance and excreted higher amounts of ornithine and ammonium than birds on control diets. Excretion rates for ornithine and ammonium may be even higher for birds feeding on aspen buds because otherphenolic compounds must be detoxified along with CB. Coniferyl benzoate did not decrease the ability of ruffed grouse to utilize dietary energy but did decrease utilization eficiencies simply by a dilution effect Overall, assimilation eficiencies increased over the 3-mo study. Acidosis, from acidic detoxication products, and nitrogen loss may be two reasons why wild ruffed grouse avoid feeding on aspen buds containing high CB levels; however, the principal mechanism by which CB acts as a feeding deterrent is still uncertain.

Link to Full Text

Share

 
COinS