STUDIES ON THE REGULATION OF HIBERNATION.
Abstract
Data accumulated during the report period indicate that dietary intake of vitamins A or E has little effect on propensity of golden hamsters to hibernate. While photoperiod and activity of the pineal gland influences reproductive mechanisms in hamsters, these factors appear to have little effect on similar mechanisms or on hibernation of the ground squirrel. Long term studies of urinary excretion of hibernating ground squirrels show that, in the absence of dietary intake of food or water, these species (1) lose only minute quantities of various electrolytes (Na(+), Cl(-), K(+), Mg(++), Ca(++) and solids; (2) excrete an extremely dilute urine; (3) and show a progressive increase in urinary pH. Body weight losses amount to about 42% of initial weights, of which urine losses account for only about 38%. Thus, at least half of the weight loss is due to water vapor and CO2 via respiration and to insensible perspiration from the skin. In golden hamsters, semi-starvation or non-functional thyroid glands induce reproductive failure and a rather complex interaction of photoperiod, thyroid and pineal glands exist. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 01, 1970
- Accession Number
- AD0707944
Entities
People
- Roger A. Hoffman
Organizations
- Colgate University