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<p>Long-distance migratory birds undergo profound physiological changes throughout their annual cycle, particularly during the non-breeding season, which includes periods of recovery, maintenance, and preparation for migration. Here, we used an untargeted gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) metabolomic approach to characterize plasma metabolite profiles in Hudsonian godwits (<i>Limosa haemastica</i>) across three distinct stages of the non-breeding season: <i>post-arrival</i>, <i>maintenance</i>, and <i>pre-departure</i>. We identified 141 metabolites associated with key metabolic pathways, including carbohydrate, amino acid, and lipid metabolism. Metabolomic profiles showed a progressive seasonal transition, with clear separation between <i>post-arrival</i> and <i>pre-departure</i> stages, and individuals displaying an intermediate metabolic profile during <i>maintenance</i>. <i>Post-arrival</i> individuals exhibited metabolite signatures linked to muscle repair, lipid catabolism, and oxidative stress recovery. In contrast, <i>pre-departure</i> individuals showed upregulation of metabolites involved in carbohydrate remodeling, unsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis, and steroid metabolism, reflecting physiological preparation for long-distance flight. Our results reveal a dynamic and stage-specific metabolic strategy that underscores the phenotypic flexibility of godwits during the non-breeding season. These findings provide new insights into the physiological mechanisms underlying endurance migration and the metabolic flexibility of migratory shorebirds.</p>

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Metabolomic profiles reveal physiological transitions required for long-distance avian migration

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年4月4日

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  • Jonathan Vergara-Amado,
  • Pablo Alarcón,
  • Rafael A. Burgos,
  • Juan G. Navedo,
  • Josefina Gutiérrez,
  • Claudio Verdugo

摘要

Long-distance migratory birds undergo profound physiological changes throughout their annual cycle, particularly during the non-breeding season, which includes periods of recovery, maintenance, and preparation for migration. Here, we used an untargeted gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) metabolomic approach to characterize plasma metabolite profiles in Hudsonian godwits (Limosa haemastica) across three distinct stages of the non-breeding season: post-arrival, maintenance, and pre-departure. We identified 141 metabolites associated with key metabolic pathways, including carbohydrate, amino acid, and lipid metabolism. Metabolomic profiles showed a progressive seasonal transition, with clear separation between post-arrival and pre-departure stages, and individuals displaying an intermediate metabolic profile during maintenance. Post-arrival individuals exhibited metabolite signatures linked to muscle repair, lipid catabolism, and oxidative stress recovery. In contrast, pre-departure individuals showed upregulation of metabolites involved in carbohydrate remodeling, unsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis, and steroid metabolism, reflecting physiological preparation for long-distance flight. Our results reveal a dynamic and stage-specific metabolic strategy that underscores the phenotypic flexibility of godwits during the non-breeding season. These findings provide new insights into the physiological mechanisms underlying endurance migration and the metabolic flexibility of migratory shorebirds.