In most birds, changing photoperiods from winter to spring and from summer to
fall have two consequences: increased feeding followed by migratory activity. To date,
the neural system controlling the activation of migratory activity remains unknown,
though behavioral observations point to a possible mechanism. During the migration
season, diurnal songbirds show extensive disruption of their sleep/wake cycle, sleeping
during the day and flying at night. In mammals, similarly altered cycles of activity result
from blocking orexin expression in the hypothalamus. It is possible that decreased orexin
expression is associated with migratory activity in songbirds. In addition, changes in
ingestive behaviors and fuel availability may also be associated with disruptions in the
sleep/wake cycles of migratory birds. The studies in my dissertation will address these
issues through three main specific aims. First, I will determine that orexin systems are
conserved in vertebrate brains. Second, I will test the association between orexin and
migratory activity in songbirds. Third, I will confirm the association between fuel
availability, orexin expression and migratory activity in songbirds. / text
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:UTEXAS/oai:repositories.lib.utexas.edu:2152/6637 |
| Date | 23 October 2009 |
| Creators | Singletary, Kristan Gail |
| Source Sets | University of Texas |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Format | electronic |
| Rights | Copyright is held by the author. Presentation of this material on the Libraries' web site by University Libraries, The University of Texas at Austin was made possible under a limited license grant from the author who has retained all copyrights in the works. |
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