Photoperiodic effects on body mass, energy balance and hypothalamic gene expression in the bank vole

We examined the effect of increasing photoperiod, at a constant low temperature, on the body mass and energy budget of the bank vole Clethrionomys glareolus. Simultaneously, we determined the hypothalamic gene expression of neuropeptides and receptors known to be involved in short-term energy balance. Despite an increase in body mass (approximately 10% of initial mass), we found no significant changes in any energetic parameters (food intake, energy assimilation rate, resting metabolic rate and total daily energy expenditure by doubly-labelled water). Apparent energy assimilation efficiency was higher in voles exposed to long-days (LD) compared to short-days (SD). Surprisingly, gene expression of corticotrophin releasing factor (CRF; in the paraventricular nucleus), and the melanocortin-3 receptor (in the arcuate nucleus), both known to be involved in appetite suppression and elevation of energy expenditure in short-term energy balance, were higher in voles kept in LD compared to SD. CRF expression was also elevated in females compared to males. These paradoxical data suggest an alternative mechanism for the control of seasonal body mass changes compared to short-term body mass changes, and between male and female voles. Furthermore, they highlight the need for studies to perform simultaneous measurements at both the molecular and whole animal levels.