1
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Bao Z, Guo C, Chen Y, Li C, Lei T, Zhou S, Qi D, Xiang Z. Fatty acid metabolization and insulin regulation prevent liver injury from lipid accumulation in Himalayan marmots. Cell Rep 2023; 42:112718. [PMID: 37384524 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2022] [Revised: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Fat storage and weight gain are dominant traits for hibernating mammals. However, excessive fat accumulation may cause liver damage. Here, we explore the lipid accumulation and metabolic processes of the Himalayan marmot (Marmota himalayana), a hibernating rodent species. We find that the unsaturated fatty acid (UFA) content in food was consistent with a large increase in the body mass of Himalayan marmots. Metagenomic analysis shows that Firmicutes Bacterium CAG:110 plays a synergistic role by synthesizing UFAs, which is demonstrated by fecal transplantation experiments, indicating that the gut microbiome promotes fat storage in Himalayan marmots for hibernation. Microscopic examination results indicate that the risk of fatty liver appears at maximum weight; however, liver function is not affected. Upregulations of UFA catabolism and insulin-like growth factor binding protein genes provide an entry point for avoiding liver injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziqiang Bao
- College of Life Science and Technology, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha, Hunan 410004, China; Institute of Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation Biology, Central South University of Forestry & Technology, Changsha, Hunan 410004, China
| | - Cheng Guo
- College of Life Science and Technology, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha, Hunan 410004, China; Institute of Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation Biology, Central South University of Forestry & Technology, Changsha, Hunan 410004, China
| | - Yi Chen
- Institute of Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation Biology, Central South University of Forestry & Technology, Changsha, Hunan 410004, China; College of Forestry, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha, Hunan 410004, China
| | - Cheng Li
- College of Life Science and Technology, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha, Hunan 410004, China; Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, Chengdu, Sichuan Province 610081, China
| | - Tao Lei
- College of Life Science and Technology, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha, Hunan 410004, China
| | - Shuailing Zhou
- College of Life Science and Technology, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha, Hunan 410004, China
| | - Dunwu Qi
- Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, Chengdu, Sichuan Province 610081, China
| | - Zuofu Xiang
- Institute of Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation Biology, Central South University of Forestry & Technology, Changsha, Hunan 410004, China; College of Forestry, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha, Hunan 410004, China; Yuelushan Laboratory, Carbon Sinks Forests Variety Innovation Center, Changsha, Hunan 410004, China.
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Findlay‐Robinson R, Deecke VB, Weatherall A, Hill DL. Effects of climate change on life‐history traits in hibernating mammals. Mamm Rev 2023. [DOI: 10.1111/mam.12308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Findlay‐Robinson
- Institute of Science and the Environment, University of Cumbria, Ambleside Cumbria LA22 9BB UK
- School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences University of Glasgow Glasgow G12 8QQ UK
| | - Volker B. Deecke
- Institute of Science and the Environment, University of Cumbria, Ambleside Cumbria LA22 9BB UK
| | - Andrew Weatherall
- Institute of Science and the Environment, University of Cumbria, Ambleside Cumbria LA22 9BB UK
| | - Davina L. Hill
- School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences University of Glasgow Glasgow G12 8QQ UK
- School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences University of the Witwatersrand Private Bag 3, Wits 2050 Johannesburg South Africa
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3
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Pađen L, Alves SP, Bessa RJB, Almeida AM, Bujanić M, Konjević D. Fatty Acid Composition of M. Biceps Femoris of Edible Dormouse ( Glis glis L.). Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12233284. [PMID: 36496805 PMCID: PMC9735602 DOI: 10.3390/ani12233284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2022] [Revised: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the fatty acid (FA) composition of edible dormouse m. biceps femoris in both sexes. More than 20 FA were identified in the muscle, with the 18:1cis-9 (oleic acid) being the most abundant in both sexes, comprising more than 50% of total FA in muscle. The most dominated FA were monounsaturated (MUFA), followed by saturated FA (SFA) and polyunsaturated FA (PUFA), reaching 54.8%, 25.43% and 19.8% of total FA, respectively. Sums of PUFA and n-3 PUFA tended (p > 0.05) to be higher in males than in females. There were no significant differences between sexes on the FA composition. Nevertheless, the 18:2n-6 tended to differ between sexes (p = 0.063). Several long-chain PUFA (LC-PUFA) were detected in dormouse muscle, with the 20:4 n-6 (arachidonic acid, AA) and the 22:6 n-3 (docosahexaenoic acid, DHA) being the most abundant in both sexes. The relatively high stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD) indexes and the large concentration of 18:1cis-9 in dormouse muscle tissues might point to a low mobilization of the SCD products. Furthermore, finding the unusual FA 20:3 ∆5,∆11,∆14, suggests feeding on leaf and wood lipids of Coniferophytes. We demonstrated sexual size monomorphism in edible dormouse. The literature regarding the composition of dormouse meat is scarce and no studies reported the FA composition of muscle, thus, this work can contribute to increasing the knowledge on edible dormouse physiology and nutritional traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lana Pađen
- Department of Physiology and Radiobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +385-994687333
| | - Susana P. Alves
- CIISA/FMV–Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar em Sanidade Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Lisboa, 1300-477 Lisboa, Portugal
- Laboratório Associado Para Ciência Animal e Veterinária (AL4AnimalS), 1300-477 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Rui J. B. Bessa
- CIISA/FMV–Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar em Sanidade Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Lisboa, 1300-477 Lisboa, Portugal
- Laboratório Associado Para Ciência Animal e Veterinária (AL4AnimalS), 1300-477 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - André M. Almeida
- LEAF—Linking Landscape, Environment, Agriculture and Food Research Center, Associated Laboratory TERRA, Instituto Superior de Agronomia, Universidade de Lisboa, Tapada da Ajuda, 1349-017 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Miljenko Bujanić
- Department of Veterinary Economics and Epidemiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Dean Konjević
- Department of Veterinary Economics and Epidemiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
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Charlanne LM, Vetter S, Einwaller J, Painer J, Gilbert C, Giroud S. Sticking Together: Energetic Consequences of Huddling Behavior in Hibernating Juvenile Garden Dormice. Physiol Biochem Zool 2022; 95:400-415. [PMID: 35930826 DOI: 10.1086/721184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/04/2024]
Abstract
AbstractHibernation, or multiday torpor, allows individuals to save energy via substantial reductions of metabolism and body temperature but is regularly interrupted by euthermic phases called arousals. Social thermoregulation, or "huddling," can act in synergy with torpor in reducing individuals' energy and heat losses. In the wild, the garden dormouse (Eliomys quercinus) combines both strategies, which are crucial for winter survival of juveniles with limited prehibernation body fat reserves. We investigated via thermographic and temperature measurements (i) the energetic impact of huddling during an arousal from deep torpor, (ii) the dynamics of huddling behavior during hibernation, and (iii) its consequences during the entire winter in juvenile garden dormice. Thermographic images revealed a significant effect of huddling on torpor energetics, as it reduced heat exchange and mass loss by two-thirds in huddling versus single individuals during arousal. Our investigation of the dynamics of huddling further revealed a "random-like mechanistic" behavior during winter hibernation, as arousals from torpor were not always initiated by the same individuals. Animals took turns in initiating rewarming within a group, and the individual with highest body temperature during arousal entered into torpor later than the others within the huddle. The animals share both costs and benefits of huddling during arousals, without any energetic benefit of huddling over the entire winter on an individual level. We conclude that the dynamics of social thermoregulation during hibernation seems to counterbalance its benefit of reducing energetic costs associated against the energy-demanding process of rewarming from torpor.
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Dai Pra R, Mohr SM, Merriman DK, Bagriantsev SN, Gracheva EO. Ground squirrels initiate sexual maturation during hibernation. Curr Biol 2022; 32:1822-1828.e4. [PMID: 35245461 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2022.02.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Revised: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Adequate nutrition is essential for normal reproductive function, which is vital for species to survive. In humans and other mammals, starvation and undernutrition deplete fat reserves and cause weight loss, attenuating the function of the reproductive axis and causing hypogonadism.1-4 Thirteen-lined ground squirrels (Ictidomys tridecemlineatus) spend 7 months of every year in hibernation without food and water. Hibernating squirrels alternate between periods of torpor and interbout arousal (IBA), when animals temporarily return to an active-like state.5 The physiological significance of IBA is unclear, but it is thought to be essential for hibernation in animals that drop their body temperature to 2°C-4°C during torpor. Here, we report that juvenile male ground squirrels initiate reproductive maturation during their first hibernation season, despite prolonged undernutrition and profound weight loss. We show that the hypothalamic reproductive axis undergoes activation during interbout arousals in the middle of hibernation, triggering production of luteinizing hormone and testosterone, and promoting testicular growth. Initiation of sexual maturation is circannually entrained and is independent of physiological state, ambient temperature, and food availability. Our study suggests a role for interbout arousals during hibernation and uncovers the neurophysiological mechanism of reproductive axis activation during conditions of extreme negative energy balance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Dai Pra
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Yale University School of Medicine, 333 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT 06510, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine, 333 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT 06510, USA; Program in Cellular Neuroscience, Neurodegeneration and Repair, Yale University School of Medicine, 333 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Sarah M Mohr
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Yale University School of Medicine, 333 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT 06510, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine, 333 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT 06510, USA; Program in Cellular Neuroscience, Neurodegeneration and Repair, Yale University School of Medicine, 333 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Dana K Merriman
- Department of Biology, University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, 800 Algoma Boulevard, Oshkosh, WI 54901, USA
| | - Sviatoslav N Bagriantsev
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Yale University School of Medicine, 333 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT 06510, USA.
| | - Elena O Gracheva
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Yale University School of Medicine, 333 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT 06510, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine, 333 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT 06510, USA; Program in Cellular Neuroscience, Neurodegeneration and Repair, Yale University School of Medicine, 333 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT 06510, USA.
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Aymen J, Freedman M, Delnatte P, McAdie M, Beaufrère H. Retrospective analysis of hibernation parameters and breeding success in captive Vancouver Island marmots (Marmota vancouverensis): 1997-2018. Zoo Biol 2021; 40:273-279. [PMID: 33848361 DOI: 10.1002/zoo.21607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Revised: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Vancouver Island marmots (Marmota vancouverensis) have been managed in a captive-breeding program since 1997, as in situ conservation efforts were insufficient in raising the numbers of this critically endangered species. The success of captive-breeding programs centers on sustainable reproduction and survival of individuals once released into the wild. Captive-born Vancouver Island marmots released to the wild have lower survival rates than their wild-born counterparts; this difference may arise from compromised hibernation patterns or behaviors. Hibernation duration, body weight over the hibernation season, and reproductive success of captive Vancouver Island marmots were reviewed to assess the effect of these variables on each other. Data from a total of 1782 hibernations and 456 breeding attempts were compiled from 1997 to 2018. The number of winters spent in captivity, the origin of the marmot (captive-born or wild-born), the facility at which hibernation occurred, and the body weight all had a significant effect on hibernation length (all p < .001). Increased weight was associated with increased hibernation length by 0.4 ± 0.1 day/kg on average (p = .0015). Captive, wild-born marmots hibernated for significantly longer than their captive-born counterparts by about 21 ± 2 days (p < .001). The odds of successful breeding were significantly increased with increasing hibernation length by approximatively 20% for every 10 additional days of hibernation. This study provides information on the intrinsic relationship between body weight, reproduction, and hibernation in captive Vancouver Island marmots.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Aymen
- Department of Clinical Studies, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
- Toronto Zoo, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Megan Freedman
- Department of Clinical Studies, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Malcolm McAdie
- Marmot Recovery Foundation, Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Hugues Beaufrère
- Department of Clinical Studies, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
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Przybylska-Piech AS, Wojciechowski MS, Jefimow M. Polymorphism of winter phenotype in Siberian hamster: consecutive litters do not differ in photoresponsiveness but prolonged acclimation to long photoperiod inhibits winter molt. Front Zool 2021; 18:11. [PMID: 33731152 PMCID: PMC7971963 DOI: 10.1186/s12983-021-00391-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2020] [Accepted: 02/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The theory of delayed life history effects assumes that phenotype of adult individual results from environmental conditions experienced at birth and as juvenile. In seasonal environments, being born late in the reproductive season affects timing of puberty, body condition, longevity, and fitness. We hypothesized that late-born individuals are more prone to respond to short photoperiod (SP) than early born ones. We used Siberian hamsters Phodopus sungorus, a model species characterized by high polymorphism of winter phenotype. We experimentally distinguished the effect of litter order (first or third) from the effect of exposure to long photoperiod (LP) before winter (3 months or 5 months) by manipulating the duration of LP acclimation in both litters. We predicted that, irrespective of the litter order, individuals exposed to long photoperiod for a short time have less time to gather energy resources and consequently are more prone to developing energy-conserving phenotypes. To assess effect of litter order, duration of acclimation to long days, and phenotype on basal cost of living we measured basal metabolic rate (BMR) of hamsters. RESULTS Individuals born in third litters had faster growth rates and were bigger than individuals from first litters, but these differences vanished before transfer to SP. Litter order or duration of LP acclimation had no effects on torpor use or seasonal body mass changes, but prolonged acclimation to LP inhibited winter molting both in first and third litters. Moreover, individuals that did not molt had significantly higher BMR in SP than those which molted to white fur. Although one phenotype usually predominated within a litter, littermates were often heterogeneous. We also found that over 10% of individuals presented late response to short photoperiod. CONCLUSIONS Our data indicate that duration of postnatal exposure to LP may define propensity to photoresponsiveness, regardless of the litter in which animal was born. Existence of littermates presenting different phenotypes suggests a prudent reproductive strategy of investing into offspring of varied phenotypes, that might be favored depending on environmental conditions. This strategy could have evolved in response to living in stochastic environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna S Przybylska-Piech
- Department of Vertebrate Zoology and Ecology, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Toruń, Poland.
| | - Michał S Wojciechowski
- Department of Vertebrate Zoology and Ecology, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Toruń, Poland
| | - Małgorzata Jefimow
- Department of Animal Physiology and Neurobiology, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Toruń, Poland
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Rimbach R, Pillay N, Schradin C. Prolonged growth during the food-restricted dry season in a small African mammal. J Mammal 2021. [DOI: 10.1093/jmammal/gyaa169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Studying how different environmental parameters, such as resource availability and ambient temperature, affect growth rates aids to understand the evolution of different growth strategies. Low levels of food availability restrict growth, and high ambient temperature can constrain growth via trade-offs between body temperature maintenance and heat produced during digestion. We studied growth of African striped mice (Rhabdomys pumilio), a small mammal living in a seasonally arid habitat. Striped mice are born during spring with high food availability and low ambient temperature, and typically enter the food-restricted dry season before reaching adulthood. We predicted low food availability and high ambient temperature would negatively affect growth. We therefore expected an extended period of slow growth during the long dry season. We repeatedly measured body length of 369 free-living individuals, examined how ambient temperature and food availability influenced growth rate, and seasonal changes in growth rate. In addition, we investigated whether mice (N = 27) born in summer (atypical breeding season) have slower growth rates than those born in spring. Growth rate increased with increasing food availability and decreased with increasing ambient temperature. Individuals born in summer grew slower than those born in spring. Sexes reached asymptotic body length at 258 days (females) and 285 days (males), which is an unusually long growth period compared with other small rodents. As most striped mice live for less than 1 year, this period encompasses the entire life for most individuals, but stops at old age, which could indicate senescence. Our results demonstrate a positive influence of food availability on growth, a relationship mediated by ambient temperature. We conclude that striped mice enter the food-restricted dry season before postnatal growth is terminated, and early exposure to harsh environmental conditions during the long dry season likely explains the prolonged growth period in striped mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Rimbach
- School of Animal, Plant, and Environmental Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, 1 Jan Smuts Avenue, Braamfontein 2001, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Neville Pillay
- School of Animal, Plant, and Environmental Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, 1 Jan Smuts Avenue, Braamfontein 2001, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Carsten Schradin
- School of Animal, Plant, and Environmental Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, 1 Jan Smuts Avenue, Braamfontein 2001, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, UMR 7178, Institut Pluridisciplinaire Hubert Curien, Département Écologie, Physiologie et Éthologie, 23, rue Becquerel, F-67000 Strasbourg, France
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Giroud S, Habold C, Nespolo RF, Mejías C, Terrien J, Logan SM, Henning RH, Storey KB. The Torpid State: Recent Advances in Metabolic Adaptations and Protective Mechanisms †. Front Physiol 2021; 11:623665. [PMID: 33551846 PMCID: PMC7854925 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2020.623665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Torpor and hibernation are powerful strategies enabling animals to survive periods of low resource availability. The state of torpor results from an active and drastic reduction of an individual's metabolic rate (MR) associated with a relatively pronounced decrease in body temperature. To date, several forms of torpor have been described in all three mammalian subclasses, i.e., monotremes, marsupials, and placentals, as well as in a few avian orders. This review highlights some of the characteristics, from the whole organism down to cellular and molecular aspects, associated with the torpor phenotype. The first part of this review focuses on the specific metabolic adaptations of torpor, as it is used by many species from temperate zones. This notably includes the endocrine changes involved in fat- and food-storing hibernating species, explaining biomedical implications of MR depression. We further compare adaptive mechanisms occurring in opportunistic vs. seasonal heterotherms, such as tropical and sub-tropical species. Such comparisons bring new insights into the metabolic origins of hibernation among tropical species, including resistance mechanisms to oxidative stress. The second section of this review emphasizes the mechanisms enabling heterotherms to protect their key organs against potential threats, such as reactive oxygen species, associated with the torpid state. We notably address the mechanisms of cellular rehabilitation and protection during torpor and hibernation, with an emphasis on the brain, a central organ requiring protection during torpor and recovery. Also, a special focus is given to the role of an ubiquitous and readily-diffusing molecule, hydrogen sulfide (H2S), in protecting against ischemia-reperfusion damage in various organs over the torpor-arousal cycle and during the torpid state. We conclude that (i) the flexibility of torpor use as an adaptive strategy enables different heterothermic species to substantially suppress their energy needs during periods of severely reduced food availability, (ii) the torpor phenotype implies marked metabolic adaptations from the whole organism down to cellular and molecular levels, and (iii) the torpid state is associated with highly efficient rehabilitation and protective mechanisms ensuring the continuity of proper bodily functions. Comparison of mechanisms in monotremes and marsupials is warranted for understanding the origin and evolution of mammalian torpor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylvain Giroud
- Research Institute of Wildlife Ecology, Department of Interdisciplinary Life Sciences, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Caroline Habold
- University of Strasbourg, CNRS, IPHC, UMR 7178, Strasbourg, France
| | - Roberto F. Nespolo
- Instituto de Ciencias Ambientales y Evolutivas, Universidad Austral de Chile, ANID – Millennium Science Initiative Program-iBio, Valdivia, Chile
- Center of Applied Ecology and Sustainability, Departamento de Ecología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Carlos Mejías
- Instituto de Ciencias Ambientales y Evolutivas, Universidad Austral de Chile, ANID – Millennium Science Initiative Program-iBio, Valdivia, Chile
- Center of Applied Ecology and Sustainability, Departamento de Ecología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Jérémy Terrien
- Unité Mécanismes Adaptatifs et Evolution (MECADEV), UMR 7179, CNRS, Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, Brunoy, France
| | | | - Robert H. Henning
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
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10
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van Rosmalen L, van Dalum J, Hazlerigg DG, Hut RA. Gonads or body? Differences in gonadal and somatic photoperiodic growth response in two vole species. J Exp Biol 2020; 223:jeb230987. [PMID: 32917818 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.230987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2020] [Accepted: 09/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
To optimally time reproduction, seasonal mammals use a photoperiodic neuroendocrine system (PNES) that measures photoperiod and subsequently drives reproduction. To adapt to late spring arrival at northern latitudes, a lower photoperiodic sensitivity and therefore a higher critical photoperiod for reproductive onset is necessary in northern species to arrest reproductive development until spring onset. Temperature-photoperiod relationships, and hence food availability-photoperiod relationships, are highly latitude dependent. Therefore, we predict PNES sensitivity characteristics to be latitude dependent. Here, we investigated photoperiodic responses at different times during development in northern (tundra or root vole, Microtus oeconomus) and southern vole species (common vole, Microtus arvalis) exposed to constant short (SP) or long photoperiod (LP). Although the tundra vole grows faster under LP, no photoperiodic effect on somatic growth is observed in the common vole. In contrast, gonadal growth is more sensitive to photoperiod in the common vole, suggesting that photoperiodic responses in somatic and gonadal growth can be plastic, and might be regulated through different mechanisms. In both species, thyroid-stimulating hormone β-subunit (Tshβ) and iodothyronine deiodinase 2 (Dio2) expression is highly increased under LP, whereas Tshr and Dio3 decrease under LP. High Tshr levels in voles raised under SP may lead to increased sensitivity to increasing photoperiods later in life. The higher photoperiodic-induced Tshr response in tundra voles suggests that the northern vole species might be more sensitive to thyroid-stimulating hormone when raised under SP. In conclusion, species differences in developmental programming of the PNES, which is dependent on photoperiod early in development, may form different breeding strategies as part of latitudinal adaptation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura van Rosmalen
- Chronobiology Unit, Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Jayme van Dalum
- Department of Arctic and Marine Biology, UiT - the Arctic University of Norway, NO-9037 Tromsø, Norway
| | - David G Hazlerigg
- Department of Arctic and Marine Biology, UiT - the Arctic University of Norway, NO-9037 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Roelof A Hut
- Chronobiology Unit, Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands
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11
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Bieber C, Turbill C, Ruf T. Effects of aging on timing of hibernation and reproduction. Sci Rep 2018; 8:13881. [PMID: 30224823 PMCID: PMC6141465 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-32311-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2018] [Accepted: 08/28/2018] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Small hibernators are long-lived for their size because seasonal dormancy greatly reduces predation risk. Thus, within a year, hibernators switch between states of contrasting mortality risk (active season versus hibernation), making them interesting species for testing the predictions of life-history theory. Accordingly, we hypothesized that, with advancing age and hence diminishing reproductive potential, hibernators should increasingly accept the higher predation risk associated with activity to increase the likelihood of current reproductive success. For edible dormice (Glis glis) we show that age strongly affects hibernation/activity patterns, and that this occurs via two pathways: (i) with increasing age, dormice are more likely to reproduce, which delays the onset of hibernation, and (ii) age directly advances emergence from hibernation in spring. We conclude that hibernation has to be viewed not merely as an energy saving strategy under harsh climatic conditions, but as an age-affected life-history trait that is flexibly used to maximize fitness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Bieber
- Department of Integrative Biology and Evolution, Research Institute of Wildlife Ecology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Savoyenstraße 1, 1160, Vienna, Austria.
- Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW, 2751, Australia.
| | - Christopher Turbill
- Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW, 2751, Australia
| | - Thomas Ruf
- Department of Integrative Biology and Evolution, Research Institute of Wildlife Ecology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Savoyenstraße 1, 1160, Vienna, Austria
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12
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Kuepper ND, Marek C, Coria N, Libertelli MM, Quillfeldt P. Facultative hypothermia as a survival strategy during snowstorm induced food shortages in Antarctic storm-petrel chicks. Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 2018; 224:76-83. [PMID: 29953949 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2018.06.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2018] [Revised: 05/22/2018] [Accepted: 06/18/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Wilson's storm-petrels (Oceanites oceanicus) are the smallest marine birds breeding in Antarctica, where events like snowstorms often prevent parents from providing food daily for their offspring. To minimize energy expenses, Wilson's storm-petrel chicks can reduce their metabolism and body temperature by entering hypothermia. Hypothermia is reported to impact development, hence we hypothesized that hypothermia will be majorly used after long fasting periods. Chick development in a breeding colony of Wilson's storm-petrels on the South Shetland Islands was monitored daily during three consecutive summers by recording chicks' body mass and temperature, as well as environmental parameters. Provisioning, and body conditions were highest in 2017, and chicks became hypothermic most frequently in 2016. Body temperature was influenced by age, mass, body condition, and minimal nocturnal temperatures. While most chicks were able to maintain stable body temperatures when not fed for one day, some chicks' body temperatures decreased by up to 21 °C. Age did not differ between those two groups, but chicks maintaining their active body temperatures had higher body conditions. Snowstorms were typically followed by several days of unreliable food provisioning and continuous days of fasting. Most chicks were hypothermic during this time, and were hence able to survive periods of food shortages, reverse their low body temperatures after the next feeding event, and regain body mass. We conclude that hypothermia is a strong survival strategy to endure times of fasting, which might be necessary for Antarctic storm-petrel chicks to reach adulthood. However, in future scenarios, which may include more frequent snowstorms due to climate change, malnourishment could lead to more frequent use of hypothermia, which could affect chicks' development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadja D Kuepper
- Department of Animal Ecology & Systematics, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32, 35392 Giessen, Germany.
| | - Carina Marek
- Department of Animal Ecology & Systematics, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Nestor Coria
- Instituto Antártico Argentino, Departamento de Ciencias de la Vida, Cerrito 1248, C1010AAZ Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Marcela M Libertelli
- Instituto Antártico Argentino, Departamento de Ciencias de la Vida, Cerrito 1248, C1010AAZ Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Petra Quillfeldt
- Department of Animal Ecology & Systematics, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32, 35392 Giessen, Germany
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Mahlert B, Gerritsmann H, Stalder G, Ruf T, Zahariev A, Blanc S, Giroud S. Implications of being born late in the active season for growth, fattening, torpor use, winter survival and fecundity. eLife 2018; 7:31225. [PMID: 29458712 PMCID: PMC5819945 DOI: 10.7554/elife.31225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2017] [Accepted: 01/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
For hibernators, being born late in the active season may have important effects on growth and fattening, hence on winter survival and reproduction. This study investigated differences in growth, fattening, energetic responses, winter survival and fecundity between early-born (‘EB’) and late-born (‘LB’) juvenile garden dormice (Eliomys quercinus). LB juveniles grew and gained mass twice as fast as EB individuals. Torpor use was low during intensive growth, that are, first weeks of body mass gain, but increased during pre-hibernation fattening. LB juveniles showed higher torpor use, reached similar body sizes but lower fat content than EB individuals before hibernation. Finally, LB individuals showed similar patterns of hibernation, but higher proportion of breeders during the following year than EB dormice. These results suggest that torpor is incompatible with growth but promotes fattening and consolidates pre-hibernation fat depots. In garden dormice, being born late in the reproductive season is associated with a fast life history. Garden dormice are small rodents which are common in European woodlands. They were historically widespread from Portugal in the west to the Urals (Russia) in the east. However they are now largely confined to western Europe with north-eastern and eastern populations having become scattered and fragmented. During the course of a year in northern and central Europe, they make the most of the warm season to fatten up and to produce up to two litters of youngsters. When winter comes, dormice enter hibernation, sometimes for more than six months. During this time, they must rely on their fat reserves to survive. Every year, the young from the second litter have less time to prepare for the winter compared to their siblings born earlier in the season. So, how do they still manage to get ready on time for hibernation? Here, Mahlert et al. studied captive pups from first and second litters for their first year, following them as they grew up, entered and then emerged from their first hibernation. The late-born individuals developed nearly twice as fast as the ones born early in the season. In fact, both reached a similar body size, but the second-litter dormice had less fat reserves. Just before their first winter, both early- and late-born animals increasingly started to enter torpor – short and daily resting-like periods when the body slows down. Torpor rarely happens when animals are growing (because growth requires a warm body), but it is useful to help storing and consolidating fat before the cold months. Late-born dormice experienced more torpor on average than their first-litter peers. Both groups survived their first hibernation; but when they emerged, late-born individuals were more likely to reproduce that year. In other words, the dormice which grew quickly might also have sexually matured earlier. This could suggest that animals born later in the season have a faster life history: they grow rapidly, reproduce quickly but may die younger than their early-born peers. Mahlert et al. highlighted how early-life events can shape the course of animals’ existences and influence how their bodies operate. It remains to be examined how these circumstances may affect the individuals in the longer term, and perhaps even their descendants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Britta Mahlert
- Department of Integrative Biology and Evolution, Research Institute of Wildlife Ecology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Hanno Gerritsmann
- Department of Integrative Biology and Evolution, Research Institute of Wildlife Ecology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Gabrielle Stalder
- Department of Integrative Biology and Evolution, Research Institute of Wildlife Ecology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Thomas Ruf
- Department of Integrative Biology and Evolution, Research Institute of Wildlife Ecology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Alexandre Zahariev
- Université de Strasbourg, IPHC, Strasbourg, France.,CNRS, UMR7178, Strasbourg, France
| | - Stéphane Blanc
- Department of Integrative Biology and Evolution, Research Institute of Wildlife Ecology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria.,Université de Strasbourg, IPHC, Strasbourg, France.,CNRS, UMR7178, Strasbourg, France
| | - Sylvain Giroud
- Department of Integrative Biology and Evolution, Research Institute of Wildlife Ecology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
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JURCZYSZYN M, MARCHEWKA A, CZAPRACKA A, KARMIŃSKA L. Changes in body mass of postweaning juveniles of the edible dormouse,Glis glis (L.), in captivity. TURK J ZOOL 2018. [DOI: 10.3906/zoo-1704-29] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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