Vagotomy does not alter circannual body weight cycles in the hibernator Citellus lateralis

To evaluate a hypothesized role of the vagus in the circannual metabolic cycle of hibernators, measures of annual weight gain, weight loss and cycle period were taken for the ground squirrel, Citellus lateralis, maintained in constant environmental conditions before and after subdiaphragmatic vagotomy. The surgery did not alter the peak weights attained, the lowest weights reached, or the period of the circannual cycle.