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Thermoregulation during entrance into hibernation
Pflugers Archiv : European Journal of Physiology
|May 6, 1977
Summary
The body temperature regulator in hibernating ground squirrels remains functional, adapting to lower temperatures. This allows for controlled metabolic heat production during hibernation entry.
Area of Science:
- Physiology
- Animal Biology
- Thermoregulation
Background:
- Hibernation involves significant body temperature drops in mammals.
- The central nervous system's role in regulating body temperature during hibernation entry is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the functionality of the mammalian thermoregulatory system during hibernation entry.
- To determine if the hypothalamic temperature set-point changes during hibernation.
Main Methods:
- Continuous measurement of hypothalamic temperature and oxygen consumption in golden-mantled ground squirrels.
- Manipulation of hypothalamic temperature using water-perfused thermodes.
Main Results:
- A consistent threshold hypothalamic temperature for increasing metabolic heat production was observed.
- During smooth hibernation entry, this threshold progressively declined, remaining below the actual body temperature.
- The thermoregulatory system demonstrated functionality across a wide temperature range.
Conclusions:
- The mammalian central nervous system's temperature regulation is functional throughout hibernation entry.
- The thermoregulatory set-point can be reset over a broad range of body temperatures experienced by hibernators.