Possible mechanisms responsible for the reduced intestinal flora in hibernating leopard frogs (Rana pipiens)

Mechanisms and factors that normally control the large intestinal flora were investigated to determine whether changes in these parameters could account for the decreased bacterial concentration and facultative nature of the flora found in hibernating frogs. It appeared that low temperatures and limited nutrients were the main factors responsible for the decrease in the bacterial concentration and may also have been responsible for the increase in the proportions of facultative organisms, since no change in the redox potential was seen. The hibernating frogs were extremely sluggish in the removal of India ink particles from the circulatory system by the Kupffer cells of the liver compared with nonhibernating frogs. They were unable to mount an antibody response to bovine serum albumin, but their serum did exhibit killing of Pseudomonas paucimobilis, suggesting opsonization by preformed antibody and complement. The role of these host factors in protecting the hibernating frog against this indigenous flora is discussed.