The Search for Lipid Metabolites in the Endangered White Winged Wood Duck

摘要

We hypothesize that lipid fragments corresponding to parasitic infection could be contributing to the widespread susceptibility of TB amongst the captive WWWD populations. Interestingly, environmental disturbances (i.e. hurricanes) occurred in several areas where plasma samples were obtained. Changes in environmental conditions can have a dramatic impact on soil/water composition and possibly provides an explanation as to why lipids found in parasites were detected in those samples. The only lipid fragment that was unique to the ducks living in a water-only environment corresponded to a flavonoid. Ducks at the field station are fed a very rich vegetative diet. Flavanoids are high in antioxidant properties, and may strengthen immunity in this captive population.