Comparison of induced and spontaneous arousals in hibernating hedgehogs

Respiratory and circulatory differences between periodic spontaneous arousals and induced arousals in hibernating hedgehogs were studied in a constant ambient temperature of + 4.2 +/- 0.5 oC. The increase in O2 consumption, blood pressure and heart rate was faster during induced arousals than during periodic spontaneous arousals. Based on our present studies we suggest that even the smallest stimulus able to induce the awakening is sufficient to modify the process so that it differs markedly from a spontaneous arousal.