Assessment of Oxidative Stress and Associated Biomarkers in Wild Avian Species

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are natural by-products of cellular metabolism and are also formed in response to environmental stressors such as pollution, extreme temperatures, and ultraviolet radiation exposure. Physiological factors such as intense activity, growth, reproduction, nutrient deficien...

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Main Authors: Siniša Faraguna, Suzana Milinković Tur, Sandra Sobočanec, Marija Pinterić, Maja Belić
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-04-01
Series:Animals
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/9/1203
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author Siniša Faraguna
Suzana Milinković Tur
Sandra Sobočanec
Marija Pinterić
Maja Belić
author_facet Siniša Faraguna
Suzana Milinković Tur
Sandra Sobočanec
Marija Pinterić
Maja Belić
author_sort Siniša Faraguna
collection DOAJ
description Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are natural by-products of cellular metabolism and are also formed in response to environmental stressors such as pollution, extreme temperatures, and ultraviolet radiation exposure. Physiological factors such as intense activity, growth, reproduction, nutrient deficiency, captivity, and disease also contribute to ROS production. While ROS, including free radicals, play a key role in cell physiology, including immune defense, their excessive accumulation can damage cellular components and cause oxidative stress when antioxidant defenses are overwhelmed. To regulate ROS levels, wild birds rely on enzymatic (e.g., catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase) and non-enzymatic antioxidants (e.g., vitamins C and E, carotenoids). Oxidative stress affects important aspects of wild bird biology, including health, reproduction, and survival, and is closely linked to overall fitness. It is also linked to physiological challenges such as migration and the progression of various diseases affecting wild bird populations. The study of oxidative stress in wild birds requires the use of appropriate biomarkers to assess its role in disease development. A deeper understanding of the balance between ROS production and antioxidant defenses is essential to determine how wild birds cope with environmental and physiological challenges. In this review, we summarize the mechanisms of oxidative stress in wild birds and the role of antioxidants in maintaining health and promoting longevity in wild bird populations.
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spelling doaj-art-4c4545ff3e42471c897895bc3f99a3db2025-08-20T03:52:57ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152025-04-01159120310.3390/ani15091203Assessment of Oxidative Stress and Associated Biomarkers in Wild Avian SpeciesSiniša Faraguna0Suzana Milinković Tur1Sandra Sobočanec2Marija Pinterić3Maja Belić4Department of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, CroatiaDepartment of Physiology and Radiobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, CroatiaLaboratory for Metabolism and Aging, Division of Molecular Medicine, Ruđer Bošković Institute, 10000 Zagreb, CroatiaLaboratory for Metabolism and Aging, Division of Molecular Medicine, Ruđer Bošković Institute, 10000 Zagreb, CroatiaDepartment of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, CroatiaReactive oxygen species (ROS) are natural by-products of cellular metabolism and are also formed in response to environmental stressors such as pollution, extreme temperatures, and ultraviolet radiation exposure. Physiological factors such as intense activity, growth, reproduction, nutrient deficiency, captivity, and disease also contribute to ROS production. While ROS, including free radicals, play a key role in cell physiology, including immune defense, their excessive accumulation can damage cellular components and cause oxidative stress when antioxidant defenses are overwhelmed. To regulate ROS levels, wild birds rely on enzymatic (e.g., catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase) and non-enzymatic antioxidants (e.g., vitamins C and E, carotenoids). Oxidative stress affects important aspects of wild bird biology, including health, reproduction, and survival, and is closely linked to overall fitness. It is also linked to physiological challenges such as migration and the progression of various diseases affecting wild bird populations. The study of oxidative stress in wild birds requires the use of appropriate biomarkers to assess its role in disease development. A deeper understanding of the balance between ROS production and antioxidant defenses is essential to determine how wild birds cope with environmental and physiological challenges. In this review, we summarize the mechanisms of oxidative stress in wild birds and the role of antioxidants in maintaining health and promoting longevity in wild bird populations.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/9/1203antioxidantswild birdsbiomarkersoxidative damageoxidative stress
spellingShingle Siniša Faraguna
Suzana Milinković Tur
Sandra Sobočanec
Marija Pinterić
Maja Belić
Assessment of Oxidative Stress and Associated Biomarkers in Wild Avian Species
Animals
antioxidants
wild birds
biomarkers
oxidative damage
oxidative stress
title Assessment of Oxidative Stress and Associated Biomarkers in Wild Avian Species
title_full Assessment of Oxidative Stress and Associated Biomarkers in Wild Avian Species
title_fullStr Assessment of Oxidative Stress and Associated Biomarkers in Wild Avian Species
title_full_unstemmed Assessment of Oxidative Stress and Associated Biomarkers in Wild Avian Species
title_short Assessment of Oxidative Stress and Associated Biomarkers in Wild Avian Species
title_sort assessment of oxidative stress and associated biomarkers in wild avian species
topic antioxidants
wild birds
biomarkers
oxidative damage
oxidative stress
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/9/1203
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AT sandrasobocanec assessmentofoxidativestressandassociatedbiomarkersinwildavianspecies
AT marijapinteric assessmentofoxidativestressandassociatedbiomarkersinwildavianspecies
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