Maternal carotenoid supplementation does not affect breeding performance in the Great Tit (Parus major)

• Published in: Functional ecology Vol. 21; no. 4; pp. 776 - 783
• Main Authors: REMEŠ, VLADIMÍR, KRIST, MILOŠ, BERTACCHE, VITTORIO, STRADI, RICCARDO
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Oxford, UK : Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.08.2007; British Ecological Society; Blackwell Publishing Ltd; Blackwell Science
• Subjects: Animal and plant ecology; Animal Physiological Ecology; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Antioxidants; Autoecology; Aves; Biological and medical sciences; Bird nesting; Carotenoids; Clutch size; Egg yolk; Eggs; Female animals; food supplementation; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General aspects; Human ecology; Male animals; parental investment; Parus major; resource allocation; Tarsus; Vertebrates: general zoology, morphology, phylogeny, systematics, cytogenetics, geographical distribution; egg yolk. food supplementation; Egg; carotenoids; antioxidants; Resource allocation; Antioxidant; Vertebrata; Reproduction; Parental investment; Supplementary feeding; Supplementation; Aves; Parus major; Performance; Carotenoid

1. Carotenoids are micronutrients with many beneficial health-related effects. They are effective antioxidants and stimulants of the immune system. Carotenoids cannot be synthesized in animals and must be obtained from food. As such, they may limit reproductive output and performance, and on the pro...