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Behavioral thermoregulation in the fasted C57BL/6 mouse.

Molly C Craig¹, Larissa O Silva¹, Steven J Swoap¹

¹Department of Biology, Williams College, USA.

Journal of Thermal Biology

|February 25, 2021

Summary

Fasted mice choose warm environments over cool ones that induce torpor. This preference for warmth leads to better metabolic outcomes during caloric deficit, suggesting behavioral thermoregulation is key.

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Area of Science:

Physiology
Behavioral Ecology
Metabolic Regulation

Background:

Daily torpor is a metabolic strategy used by small mammals to conserve energy under cool conditions and caloric deficit.
Behavioral thermoregulation, such as seeking warmer microclimates, is an alternative energy-saving strategy.
The interplay between torpor and behavioral thermotaxis in fasted mice remains poorly understood.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the temperature preferences of fasted mice when offered a choice between warm and cool environments.
To determine the metabolic consequences of behavioral thermoregulation versus torpor induction in fasted mice.

Main Methods:

C57BL/6 mice were equipped with temperature telemeters to record core body temperature (Tb), activity, and location.

Keywords:

Behavior Core temperature Metabolic rate Preferred temperature Torpor

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Mice were studied in a thermal gradient device allowing free movement across a range of temperatures.

Temperature preference and Tb were monitored over a 23-hour period under fed and fasted conditions, with and without the thermal gradient.

Main Results:

Fasted mice significantly preferred the warm end of the thermal gradient (84% of the time) compared to fed mice (71%).
Minimum core body temperature (Tb) during fasting was significantly higher when the thermal gradient was present (34.4°C) versus absent (27.7°C).
Fasted mice lost significantly more weight when the thermal gradient was absent, despite a lower Tb in that condition.

Conclusions:

Fasted mice actively select warm environments, demonstrating a strong behavioral thermotaxis.
Choosing warm environments, rather than inducing torpor in cooler conditions, results in more favorable metabolic outcomes during periods of caloric deficit.
Behavioral thermoregulation is a critical strategy for energy conservation in fasted mice.