Document Detail


Seasonal torpor and normothermic energy metabolism in the Eastern chipmunk (Tamias striatus).
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  19756651     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
To assess the changes in thermoregulatory characteristics that accompany the seasonal expression of torpor we measured seasonal differences in body mass adjustments, body temperature (T (b)) and metabolic rate (MR) in both summer- and winter-acclimated individuals from a species of food-storing hibernator, the Eastern chipmunk (Tamias striatus). Torpor occurred only in the winter and was associated with lower normothermic T (b), during inter-bout arousal periods than in the summer. Chipmunks increased body mass before the initiation of torpor in winter, and steadily lost mass as the hibernation season progressed. Torpor expression was correlated to initial mass gain, with the individuals who showed the largest mass increase in the fall showing the highest degree of torpor. Acclimation to winter-like conditions produced a decline in normothermic MR at all ambient temperatures examined. The findings indicate that torpor expression is accompanied by a decrease in T (b) and MR during normothermy, indicating that a conservation of energy metabolism occurs, not only in torpor, but also during the inter-bout arousal periods.
Authors:
Danielle L Levesque; Glenn J Tattersall
Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't     Date:  2009-09-16
Journal Detail:
Title:  Journal of comparative physiology. B, Biochemical, systemic, and environmental physiology     Volume:  180     ISSN:  1432-136X     ISO Abbreviation:  J. Comp. Physiol. B, Biochem. Syst. Environ. Physiol.     Publication Date:  2010 Feb 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2010-01-21     Completed Date:  2010-04-29     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  8413200     Medline TA:  J Comp Physiol B     Country:  Germany    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  279-92     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Department of Biological Sciences, Brock University, St Catharines, ON, L2S 3A1, Canada. danielle.l.levesque@gmail.com
Export Citation:
APA/MLA Format     Download EndNote     Download BibTex
MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Acclimatization / physiology
Adaptation, Physiological / physiology
Animals
Basal Metabolism / physiology
Body Temperature / physiology
Body Temperature Regulation / physiology*
Body Weight / physiology
Energy Metabolism / physiology*
Female
Hibernation / physiology*
Male
Sciuridae / physiology*
Seasons*

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


Previous Document:  Behaviorally measured audiograms and gap detection thresholds in CBA/CaJ mice.
Next Document:  Cupiennius salei: biomechanical properties of the tibia-metatarsus joint and its flexing muscles.