Circadian changes of brown adipose tissue thermogenesis in juvenile rats

The aim of this study was to determine whether the circadian cycle of core temperature (Tc) and oxygen consumption (VO2) in juvenile rats is correlated with changes in the thermogenic activity of brown adipose tissue (BAT). Nine-day-old rat pups derived from two colonies with 12:12 h light-dark cycles 180 degrees out of phase were artificially reared in continuous light for 12-48 h while Tc and VO2 were recorded. For measurement of GDP binding half the pups from each colony were killed during the maximum phase of their circadian Tc cycle and the other half during the minimum phase. During the maximum phase (0.5-2 h after lights-off in the colony of origin), when Tc was 36.1 +/- 0.1 degrees C, GDP binding (pmol/mg protein) was 575 +/- 31 (n = 19). During the minimum phase (0.5-2 h after lights-on), when Tc was 32.9 +/- 0.5 degrees C, GDP binding was 361 +/- 47 (n = 19). Moreover, the correlations between Tc, VO2, and GDP binding determined during the maximum plateau of the circadian cycle differ substantially from those determined during the minimum phase. Consequently, developmental studies of thermoregulation and BAT activity in suckling pups are seriously compromised if circadian phase is neglected.