Protection against fat cell hyperplasia in a hibernator, Glis glis

Dormice, Glis glis, were fed a high-fat diet for 11 mo in one experiment: in another experiment they were fed a high-fat diet for 5 mo, either at room temperature (21.5 degrees C) or in a warm room (27 degrees C). Only in the latter group did adipocyte hyperplasia occur; this was significant in all the fat depots studied (inguinal, retroperitoneal, and gonadal). In the other groups there was no evidence of fat cell hyperplasia, despite weight gains from approximately 160 g (peaks on chow diet) to approximately 250 g (maximums on high-fat diet). Instead, fat cell size, assessed from biopsies of the inguinal area, became considerably enlarged. Taken together with earlier data from other species, the results suggest that hibernators are protected against fat cell hyperplasia. In dormice this protection appears to be present at all phases of their seasonal weight cycles. For species that experience several cycles of weight gain and loss in their lives, it may be adaptive to avoid increases in adipocyte number.