Preening for protection: a systematic review of the antimicrobial properties of uropygial secretions
Uropygial secretion might play a crucial role in avian defense by exhibiting antimicrobial properties that protect birds from various pathogens. Although there has been considerable research, the differences in methods and results have led to varying conclusions about how well it works as an antimic...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wiley
2025-03-01
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| Series: | Journal of Avian Biology |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1111/jav.03425 |
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| author | Carlos Mora‐Rubio Luz García‐Longoria Alfonso Marzal |
| author_facet | Carlos Mora‐Rubio Luz García‐Longoria Alfonso Marzal |
| author_sort | Carlos Mora‐Rubio |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Uropygial secretion might play a crucial role in avian defense by exhibiting antimicrobial properties that protect birds from various pathogens. Although there has been considerable research, the differences in methods and results have led to varying conclusions about how well it works as an antimicrobial. Despite extensive research, the differences in experimental methods and results have led to varying conclusions regarding its antimicrobial effectiveness. This review consolidates existing literature on the antimicrobial activity of uropygial secretion or related compounds against bacteria and fungi across different bird species. A comprehensive search identified 35 studies, showcasing a variety of techniques used to assess antimicrobial activity, including agar diffusion, colony‐forming unit (CFU) counting, and flow cytometry. The findings reveal a diverse range of antimicrobial effects influenced by bird species, target microorganisms, and the methodologies employed. Notably, uropygial secretion appears to be more effective against gram‐positive bacteria than gram‐negative bacteria and fungi, although these latter groups have been less extensively studied. The review also underscores significant limitations in taxonomic representation, as research has primarily focused on a limited number of bird species while many others remain underrepresented. Additionally, gaps in standardization and the predominance of in vitro studies hinder our ability to draw comprehensive conclusions about the antimicrobial potential of the uropygial secretions under natural conditions. Future research should prioritize standardizing methodologies, broadening the taxonomic scope, and investigating the combined effects of individual compounds within the secretion, including symbiotic microorganisms. Addressing these gaps will enhance our understanding of the evolutionary and ecological significance of uropygial secretion and clarify its role in avian health and defense mechanisms. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-1f347d18e8534a28a27d27a6ed64641b |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 0908-8857 1600-048X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Avian Biology |
| spelling | doaj-art-1f347d18e8534a28a27d27a6ed64641b2025-08-20T03:53:42ZengWileyJournal of Avian Biology0908-88571600-048X2025-03-0120252n/an/a10.1111/jav.03425Preening for protection: a systematic review of the antimicrobial properties of uropygial secretionsCarlos Mora‐Rubio0Luz García‐Longoria1Alfonso Marzal2Department of Anatomy, Cellular Biology and Zoology, University of Extremadura Badajoz SpainDepartment of Anatomy, Cellular Biology and Zoology, University of Extremadura Badajoz SpainDepartment of Anatomy, Cellular Biology and Zoology, University of Extremadura Badajoz SpainUropygial secretion might play a crucial role in avian defense by exhibiting antimicrobial properties that protect birds from various pathogens. Although there has been considerable research, the differences in methods and results have led to varying conclusions about how well it works as an antimicrobial. Despite extensive research, the differences in experimental methods and results have led to varying conclusions regarding its antimicrobial effectiveness. This review consolidates existing literature on the antimicrobial activity of uropygial secretion or related compounds against bacteria and fungi across different bird species. A comprehensive search identified 35 studies, showcasing a variety of techniques used to assess antimicrobial activity, including agar diffusion, colony‐forming unit (CFU) counting, and flow cytometry. The findings reveal a diverse range of antimicrobial effects influenced by bird species, target microorganisms, and the methodologies employed. Notably, uropygial secretion appears to be more effective against gram‐positive bacteria than gram‐negative bacteria and fungi, although these latter groups have been less extensively studied. The review also underscores significant limitations in taxonomic representation, as research has primarily focused on a limited number of bird species while many others remain underrepresented. Additionally, gaps in standardization and the predominance of in vitro studies hinder our ability to draw comprehensive conclusions about the antimicrobial potential of the uropygial secretions under natural conditions. Future research should prioritize standardizing methodologies, broadening the taxonomic scope, and investigating the combined effects of individual compounds within the secretion, including symbiotic microorganisms. Addressing these gaps will enhance our understanding of the evolutionary and ecological significance of uropygial secretion and clarify its role in avian health and defense mechanisms.https://doi.org/10.1111/jav.03425antimicrobial activitybacteriafungipreen glanduropygial gland |
| spellingShingle | Carlos Mora‐Rubio Luz García‐Longoria Alfonso Marzal Preening for protection: a systematic review of the antimicrobial properties of uropygial secretions Journal of Avian Biology antimicrobial activity bacteria fungi preen gland uropygial gland |
| title | Preening for protection: a systematic review of the antimicrobial properties of uropygial secretions |
| title_full | Preening for protection: a systematic review of the antimicrobial properties of uropygial secretions |
| title_fullStr | Preening for protection: a systematic review of the antimicrobial properties of uropygial secretions |
| title_full_unstemmed | Preening for protection: a systematic review of the antimicrobial properties of uropygial secretions |
| title_short | Preening for protection: a systematic review of the antimicrobial properties of uropygial secretions |
| title_sort | preening for protection a systematic review of the antimicrobial properties of uropygial secretions |
| topic | antimicrobial activity bacteria fungi preen gland uropygial gland |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1111/jav.03425 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT carlosmorarubio preeningforprotectionasystematicreviewoftheantimicrobialpropertiesofuropygialsecretions AT luzgarcialongoria preeningforprotectionasystematicreviewoftheantimicrobialpropertiesofuropygialsecretions AT alfonsomarzal preeningforprotectionasystematicreviewoftheantimicrobialpropertiesofuropygialsecretions |