scholarly journals A refined method to monitor arousal from hibernation in the European hamster

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fredrik A. F. Markussen ◽  
Vebjørn J. Melum ◽  
Béatrice Bothorel ◽  
David G. Hazlerigg ◽  
Valérie Simonneaux ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Hibernation is a physiological and behavioural adaptation that permits survival during periods of reduced food availability and extreme environmental temperatures. This is achieved through cycles of metabolic depression and reduced body temperature (torpor) and rewarming (arousal). Rewarming from torpor is achieved through the activation of brown adipose tissue (BAT) associated with a rapid increase in ventilation frequency. Here, we studied the rate of rewarming in the European hamster (Cricetus cricetus) by measuring both BAT temperature, core body temperature and ventilation frequency. Results Temperature was monitored in parallel in the BAT (IPTT tags) and peritoneal cavity (iButtons) during hibernation torpor-arousal cycling. We found that increases in brown fat temperature preceded core body temperature rises by approximately 48 min, with a maximum re-warming rate of 20.9℃*h-1. Re-warming was accompanied by a significant increase in ventilation frequency. The rate of rewarming was slowed by the presence of a spontaneous thoracic mass in one of our animals. Core body temperature re-warming was reduced by 6.2℃*h-1 and BAT rewarming by 12℃*h-1. Ventilation frequency was increased by 77% during re-warming in the affected animal compared to a healthy animal. Inspection of the position and size of the mass indicated it was obstructing the lungs and heart. Conclusions We have used a minimally invasive method to monitor BAT temperature during arousal from hibernation illustrating BAT re-warming significantly precedes core body temperature re-warming, informing future study design on arousal from hibernation. We also showed compromised re-warming from hibernation in an animal with a mass obstructing the lungs and heart, likely leading to inefficient ventilation and circulation.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fredrik A. S. Markussen ◽  
Vebjørn J. Melum ◽  
Béatrice Bothorel ◽  
David G. Hazlerigg ◽  
Valérie Simonneaux ◽  
...  

AbstractBackgroundHibernation is a physiological and behavioural adaptation that permits survival during periods of reduced food availability and extreme environmental temperatures. This is achieved through cycles of metabolic depression and reduced body temperature (torpor) and rewarming (arousal). Rewarming from torpor is achieved through the activation of brown adipose tissue (BAT) associated with a rapid increase in ventilation frequency. Here, we studied the rate of rewarming in the European hamster (Cricetus cricetus) by measuring both BAT temperature, core body temperature and ventilation frequency.ResultsTemperature was monitored in parallel in the BAT (IPTT tags) and peritoneal cavity (iButtons) during hibernation torpor-arousal cycling. We found that increases in brown fat temperature preceded core body temperature rises by about 48 min, with a maximum re-warming rate of 20.9°C*h−1. Re-warming was accompanied by a significant increase in ventilation frequency. The rate of rewarming was slowed by the presence of a spontaneous thoracic mass in one of our animals. Core body temperature re-warming was reduced by 6.2°C*h−1 and BAT rewarming by 12°C*h−1. Ventilation frequency was increased by 77% during re-warming in the affected animal compared to a healthy animal. Inspection of the position and size of the mass indicated it was obstructing the lungs and heart.ConclusionsWe have used a minimally invasive method to monitor BAT temperature during arousal from hibernation illustrating BAT re-warming significantly precedes core body temperature re-warming, informing future study design on arousal from hibernation. We also showed compromised re-warming from hibernation in an animal with a mass obstructing the lungs and heart, likely leading to inefficient ventilation and circulation.


2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peng Zhou ◽  
Maricela Robles-Murguia ◽  
Deepa Mathew ◽  
Giles E. Duffield

Inhibitor of DNA binding 2 (ID2) is a helix-loop-helix transcriptional repressor rhythmically expressed in many adult tissues. Our previous studies have demonstrated thatId2null mice have sex-specific elevated glucose uptake in brown adipose tissue (BAT). Here we further explored the role ofId2in the regulation of core body temperature over the circadian cycle and the impact ofId2deficiency on genes involved in insulin signaling and adipogenesis in BAT. We discovered a reduced core body temperature inId2−/− mice. Moreover, inId2−/− BAT, 30 genes includingIrs1,PPARs, andPGC-1s were identified as differentially expressed in a sex-specific pattern. These data provide valuable insights into the impact ofId2deficiency on energy homeostasis of mice in a sex-specific manner.


2018 ◽  
Vol 315 (6) ◽  
pp. E1224-E1231 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liping Qiao ◽  
Samuel Lee ◽  
Amanda Nguyen ◽  
William W. Hay ◽  
Jianhua Shao

To determine the role of UCP1-mediated thermogenesis in controlling maternal metabolic adaptation to pregnancy, energy metabolism of C57BL/6 wild-type (WT) and Ucp1 gene knockout ( Ucp1−/−) mice was studied during pregnancy. With the progression of pregnancy, maternal energy expenditure rates (EERs), expression of UCP1, and core body temperature steadily declined in WT dams. Despite no significant alterations in core body temperature and weight gain during pregnancy, Ucp1−/− dams exhibited lower rates in EER decline. High-fat (HF) feeding not only robustly increased maternal UCP1 expression and core body temperature but also abolished gestation-suppressed EER in WT dams. However, HF-increased EERs were significantly attenuated in Ucp1−/− dams. Significantly increased fetal body weights and fetal/placental weight ratio were detected in fetuses from Ucp1−/− dams compared with fetuses from WT dams. Markedly increased expression levels of glucose transporter 1 and amino acid transporters were also observed in placentas from Ucp1−/− dams. Furthermore, blood glucose concentrations of fetuses from Ucp1−/− dams were significantly higher than those of fetuses from WT dams, indicating that maternal UCP1 has an inhibitory effect on placental efficiency and fetal growth. Taken all together, this study demonstrated that maternal brown adipose tissue plays an important role in controlling maternal metabolic adaptation and placental nutrient transport.


2010 ◽  
Vol 299 (6) ◽  
pp. R1478-R1488 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marshall Hampton ◽  
Bethany T. Nelson ◽  
Matthew T. Andrews

Small hibernating mammals show regular oscillations in their heart rate and body temperature throughout the winter. Long periods of torpor are abruptly interrupted by arousals with heart rates that rapidly increase from 5 beats/min to over 400 beats/min and body temperatures that increase by ∼30°C only to drop back into the hypothermic torpid state within hours. Surgically implanted transmitters were used to obtain high-resolution electrocardiogram and body temperature data from hibernating thirteen-lined ground squirrels ( Spermophilus tridecemlineatus ). These data were used to construct a model of the circulatory system to gain greater understanding of these rapid and extreme changes in physiology. Our model provides estimates of metabolic rates during the torpor-arousal cycles in different model compartments that would be difficult to measure directly. In the compartment that models the more metabolically active tissues and organs (heart, brain, liver, and brown adipose tissue) the peak metabolic rate occurs at a core body temperature of 19°C approximately midway through an arousal. The peak metabolic rate of the active tissues is nine times the normothermic rate after the arousal is complete. For the overall metabolic rate in all tissues, the peak-to-resting ratio is five. This value is high for a rodent, which provides evidence for the hypothesis that the arousal from torpor is limited by the capabilities of the cardiovascular system.


2017 ◽  
Vol 312 (5) ◽  
pp. R779-R786 ◽  
Author(s):  
Domenico Tupone ◽  
Georgina Cano ◽  
Shaun F. Morrison

To maintain core body temperature in mammals, the normal central nervous system (CNS) thermoregulatory reflex networks produce an increase in brown adipose tissue (BAT) thermogenesis in response to skin cooling and an inhibition of the sympathetic outflow to BAT during skin rewarming. In contrast, these normal thermoregulatory reflexes appear to be inverted in hibernation/torpor; thermogenesis is inhibited during exposure to a cold environment, allowing dramatic reductions in core temperature and metabolism, and thermogenesis is activated during skin rewarming, contributing to a return of normal body temperature. Here, we describe two unrelated experimental paradigms in which rats, a nonhibernating/torpid species, exhibit a “thermoregulatory inversion,” which is characterized by an inhibition of BAT thermogenesis in response to skin cooling, and a switch in the gain of the skin cooling reflex transfer function from negative to positive values. Either transection of the neuraxis immediately rostral to the dorsomedial hypothalamus in anesthetized rats or activation of A1 adenosine receptors within the CNS of free-behaving rats produces a state of thermoregulatory inversion in which skin cooling inhibits BAT thermogenesis, leading to hypothermia, and skin warming activates BAT, supporting an increase in core temperature. These results reflect the existence of a novel neural circuit that mediates inverted thermoregulatory reflexes and suggests a pharmacological mechanism through which a deeply hypothermic state can be achieved in nonhibernating/torpid mammals, possibly including humans.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marta Lantero Rodriguez ◽  
Maaike Schilperoort ◽  
Inger Johansson ◽  
Elin Svedlund Eriksson ◽  
Vilborg Palsdottir ◽  
...  

Brown adipose tissue (BAT) burns substantial amounts of mainly lipids to produce heat. Some studies indicate that BAT activity and core body temperature are lower in males than females. Here we investigated the role of testosterone and its receptor (the androgen receptor; AR) in metabolic BAT activity in male mice. Castration, which renders mice testosterone deficient, slightly promoted the expression of thermogenic markers in BAT, decreased BAT lipid content, and increased basal lipolysis in isolated brown adipocytes. Further, castration increased the core body temperature. Triglyceride-derived fatty acid uptake, a proxy for metabolic BAT activity in vivo, was strongly increased in BAT from castrated mice (4.5-fold increase vs. sham-castrated mice) and testosterone replacement reversed the castration-induced increase in metabolic BAT activity. BAT-specific AR deficiency did not mimic the castration effects in vivo and AR agonist treatment did not diminish the activity of cultured brown adipocytes in vitro, suggesting that androgens do not modulate BAT activity via a direct, AR-mediated pathway. In conclusion, testosterone is a negative regulator of metabolic BAT activity in male mice. Our findings provide new insight into the metabolic actions of testosterone.


2017 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 48 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. A. Descovich ◽  
S. Johnston ◽  
A. Lisle ◽  
V. Nicolson ◽  
T. Janssen ◽  
...  

The southern hairy-nosed wombat (Lasiorhinus latifrons) is a nocturnal, fossorial marsupial that has evolved a range of physiological and behavioural adaptations to its semiarid environment. This study describes long-term core body temperature (Tb) of L. latifrons in a population with opportunities for behavioural thermoregulation through burrow use. Tb was measured hourly in 12 captive L. latifrons using implanted dataloggers over a 9-month period from late winter to late autumn. Data were examined for daily patterns, seasonal changes, sex differences and the relationship with environmental conditions (ambient temperature, den temperature and relative humidity). Tb ranged from 30.9 to 38.8°C, and had a distinct nychthemeral rhythm, with peak temperatures occurring at night in line with nocturnal activity. Females had a higher mean Tb (34.9°C) than males (34.4°C). The relationship between external ambient temperature and body temperature was negative, with body temperature decreasing as ambient temperature increased. This study is an important step towards a comprehensive picture of thermoregulation in L. latifrons, which may become vulnerable in the future if environmental temperatures rise and water availability decreases.


Sensors ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (10) ◽  
pp. 3315 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jorge Chaglla E. ◽  
Numan Celik ◽  
Wamadeva Balachandran

Continuous and reliable measurements of core body temperature (CBT) are vital for studies on human thermoregulation. Because tympanic membrane directly reflects the temperature of the carotid artery, it is an accurate and non-invasive method to record CBT. However, commercial tympanic thermometers lack portability and continuous measurements. In this study, graphene inks were utilized to increase the accuracy of the temperature measurements from the ear by coating graphene platelets on the lens of an infrared thermopile sensor. The proposed ear-based device was designed by investigating ear canal geometry and developed with 3D printing technology using the Computer-Aided Design (CAD) Software, SolidWorks 2016. It employs an Arduino Pro Mini and a Bluetooth module. The proposed system runs with a 3.7 V, 850 mAh rechargeable lithium-polymer battery that allows long-term, continuous monitoring. Raw data are continuously and wirelessly plotted on a mobile phone app. The test was performed on 10 subjects under resting and exercising in a total period of 25 min. Achieved results were compared with the commercially available Braun Thermoscan, Original Thermopile, and Cosinuss One ear thermometers. It is also comprehended that such system will be useful in personalized medicine as wearable in-ear device with wireless connectivity.


1991 ◽  
Vol 69 (8) ◽  
pp. 2178-2182 ◽  
Author(s):  
Douglas W. Smith ◽  
Rolf O. Peterson ◽  
Thomas D. Drummer ◽  
Daniel S. Sheputis

Transmitters were implanted in three adult, one yearling, and one kit beaver (Castor canadensis) in northern Minnesota and upper Michigan to determine if core body temperature (Tb) declined in winter. Beaver Tb and activity were automatically recorded from late autumn through early spring. In late October through early November, mean daily Tb of adults was 36.3 °C (range 34.5–37.6 °C), with a mean daily Tb fluctuation of 1.4 °C. From fall to winter adult beaver Tb declined at a mean rate of 0.01 °C/day, and the mean daily winter (17 November – 15 April) Tb was 35.3 °C (range 32.5–38.8 °C). Mean daily winter Tb fluctuation was 2.5 °C. In early March, mean adult daily Tb began increasing at a rate of 0.03 °C/day. Tb and activity were positively correlated, except for the kit beaver, which did not undergo a significant Tb decline during winter. The yearling beaver Tb declined at a slower rate than adult Tb, and its Tb was intermediate between that of the kit and the three adults. Continued body growth in winter in young beavers is probably enhanced by high body temperature. For adult beavers, reduced body temperature in winter may be an adaptation that facilitates survival during extreme resource scarcity.


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