Thermogenesis and energy metabolism during cold acclimation in Yunan Chinese voles Eothenomys miletus

摘要

Eothenomys miletus is a vole species that inhabits Hengduan mountains. In order to study the relationship between its energy strategies and environment, energy budget, BMR, NST, state Ⅲ and state Ⅳ of mitochondrial respiration of liver in E. miletus were measured during cold exposure for 49 days . During cold exposure 5±1℃, body mass and temperature decreased; while energy intake, digested energy and metabolizable energy intake increased. BMR and NST increased, and both of them were maintained at a steady level after 28 days. State Ⅲ of mitochondrial respiration of the liver increased and stayed at a steady level after 28 days. State Ⅳ of mitochondrial respiration of the liver increased and then decreased after 28 days. During cold exposure , E. miletus reduced body mass and body temperature, increased its energy intake, digested energy, assimilated energy and heat production of BMR and NST, to maintain the balance of energy metabolism [ Acta Zoologica Sinica 54(4): 590 – 601, 2008].