Contribution of aerobic and anaerobic scope to the total metabolic scope of the desert skink,Chalcides ocellatus (Forskal)

• 1.1. Measurements of aerobic scope (resting and active oxygen consumption rates) and anaerobic scope (resting and active production of lactate rates in the whole body homogenates) were carried out on the desert skink, Chalcides ocellatus at temperatures between 10 and 40°C.
• 2.2. The aerobic scope was maximal around the preferred body temperature with a low thermal temperature dependence above the preferred levels.
• 3.3. During initial stages of forced activity, C. ocellatus employed anaerobic metabolism as its major energy source.

     

Thermal acclimation of metabolism and preferred body temperature in lizards

• 1.1.|The standard metabolic rates (SMRs) and preferred body temperatures (PBTs) of the tropical cordylid Cordylus jonesi and temperature lacertid Lacerta lilfordi were determined following acclimation to constant environmental temperatures of 20 and 30°C.
• 2.2.|Although after 5 weeks the SMRs of Cordylus jonesi and Lacerta lilfordi displayed partial compensations of 20.9 and 10.5%, respectively, their PBTs did not alter over this period. Therefore, acclimation does not maintain complete metabolic homeostasis during either the active or inactive phase of the lizard.
• 3.3.|Cordylus jonesi allowed to thermoregulate behaviourally at their PBT during activity possessed similar SMRs to control animals maintained continually at the same background temperatures, indicating that acclimation state in lizards is determined by the body temperatures experienced while at rest.
• 4.4.|The particular acclimatory problems of animals exhibiting behavioural homeothermy are discussed.

     

Changes in plasma glucose and lipid concentrations during treadmill exercise in domestic fowl

• 1.1. Plasma glucose, non-esterified fatty acid, triglyceride, cholesterol and lactate concentrations were measured during 90 min treadmill exercise at a work intensity of 55–60% maximum.
• 2.2. After 90 min exercise plasma glucose fell by 35% whilst the non-esterified fatty acid concentration rose to as much as 3–4 times resting.
• 3.3. Exercise had no significant effect on plasma cholesterol, triglyceride or lactate concentrations.
• 4.4. The findings indicate a progressive increase in fat utilization during prolonged exercise. Possible hormonal mechanisms underlying exercise-induced changes in lipid and carbohydrate metabolism are discussed.

     

The effects of artificial solar radiation on wind-stressed tufted titmice (Parus bicolor) and Carolina chickadees (Parus carolinensis) at low temperatures

• 1.1. Changes in metabolic rates and behavior were observed in tufted titmice (Parus bicolor) and Carolina chickadees (Parus carolinensis) exposed to varying conditions of artificial solar radiation, wind, and temperature in a wind tunnel experiment.
• 2.2. During the wind-on condition, both species showed a significant decrease in mean metabolic rates in the high radiation treatments when compared to the low radiation treatments (P < 0.05).
• 3.3. Titmouse orientation, posture and level of activity were significantly affected by radiation and wind conditions.
• 4.4. Metabolic rates observed in the wind tunnel treatments without wind and at low radiation did not significantly differ from similar standard metabolic (black box) treatments (P > 0.05).
• 5.5. Activity levels did not appear to directly affect metabolic rates observed in the wind tunnel treatments.

     

Seasonal variation in the metabolic rates and Q10-values of the fingernail clam,Sphaerium striatinum lamarck

• 1.1. Metabolic rates were highest during periods of maximum reproduction.
• 2.2. The exponent of the metabolic rate-weight equation varied seasonally, rates of metabolism of small animals exhibited greater annual fluctuations than those of large animals.
• 3.3. Absolute and weight-specific Q₁₀s (determined at 5–10°C above field temperatures) for smaller clams were greatest in the winter; absolute values of Q₁₀ were highest for larger individuals in the summer.
• 4.4. Small clams had Q₁₀ < 1.0 in the summer; Q₁₀-values for larger clams were near 1.0 at this time.
• 5.5. 38.9% of the total energy assimilated by the population annually was allocated to metabolism, which is near the low end of the range of values reported for freshwater molluscs, suggesting that this species can partition a large amount of energy to growth and reproduction.

     

Seasonal variation in the energy metabolism in an estuarine crab,Chasmagnathus granulata (Dana, 1851)

• 1.1. The effects of seasonal variation on the carbohydrate and lipid metabolism of the Chasmagnathus granulata were investigated.
• 2.2. Glycemia is high in winter and summer and low in spring and fall.
• 3.3. The glycogen content in the hepatopancreas and muscle is higher in fall and winter, and decreases during spring and summer.
• 4.4. The muscle lipids are higher in summer, and decrease during fall and winter whereas hepatopancreas lipids are higher except in the fall.
• 5.5. The crabs show change in the metabolic pattern of lipids and carbohydrates during the seasons of the year.

     

Metabolic rates of Calathus melanocephalus (L.) (coleoptera,carabidae) from alpine and lowland habitats (jeløy and finse,norway and drenthe,the netherlands)

• 1.1. Metabolic rates (ml O₂/mg/hr) of three geographically separated populations of the carabid beetle Calathus melanocephalus L. (Finse and Je 10y, Norway and Drenthe, The Netherlands) were measured and compared by ANCOVA.
• 2.2. No significant relationship (P > 0.05) between metabolic rates and body weight or sex of the animals were found.
• 3.3. Individuals mostly acclimated to low temperatures by increased metabolic rates and in the opposite direction to higher temperatures. Individuals collected in early summer also showed higher metabolic rates than those caught later in the autumn.
• 4.4. Contradicting the theory of metabolic cold adaptation, beetles from The Netherlands had the highest metabolic rates, beetles from Finse intermediate rates and beetles from Jeløy the lowest rates.
• 5.5. No significant relation were found between geographical origin of the beetles and their respective chill-coma temperature.

     

Cyclic CO2 release as a physiological stress indicator in insects

• 1.1. Recording of cyclic CO₂ release in insects (Periplaneta americana) in voluntary immobility resolves the regular constriction-flutter-ventilation (CFV) cycles at true standard metabolic rate (SMR).
• 2.2. Both can be used as a reference for very sensitive recordings of sublethal effects of normal (e.g. desiccation) and anthropogenic (e.g. pollutants) Stressors on the SMR, the CFV cycles, and on the induced intra-cyclic (INCA) and extra-cyclic activity (EXCA) which interrupts the resting state.Normal and induced INCA and EXCA patterns can be identified as behavior and quantified by their metabolism.
• 3.3. Lethal effects of Stressors (desiccation and toxicants) are characterized by loss of CFV cycles and a subsequent irreversible excitation phase.

     

Flight effects on certain blood parameters in homing pigeons Columba livia

• 1.1. Various blood parameters were monitored in resting and flown homing pigeons. A homing flight of 48 km lasting 60–80 min did not significantly alter plasma levels of total protein, electrolytes and plasma osmolality, which indicated maintenance of the homeostatic stability of the internal milieu during moderate exercise.
• 2.2. Plasma concentrations of marker enzymes such as alanine aminotransferase (ALAT), aspartate aminotransferase (ASAT), laetate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine phosphokinase (CPK) that tend to denote muscle damage and metabolic flux in prolonged exercise, were also not altered, thereby indicating the steady state of tissue structure and function during a flight of this magnitude.
• 3.3. Significant increases in plasma levels of uric acid and creatinine and decreases in plasma albumin were observed in the flown pigeons.
• 4.4. The flight-induced increase in blood uric acid could be attributed to increased purine catabolism and the increase in creatinine to increased nucleotide turnover.
• 5.5. It is suggested that the higher uric acid levels should not only enhance water conservation, but may also reduce flight-induced hyperthermia besides acting as an antioxidant defence against oxidative tissue injury.
• 6.6. The rise in creatinine is indicative of the breakdown of phosphocreatine for energy during the initial period of flight prior to the utilization of carbohydrate and lipid as fuels.
• 7.7. The decrease in plasma albumin should account for the albumin as lipid carrier lost in transport to the muscles during flight.

     

Factors affecting oxygen consumption in wild-caught yellow-bellied marmots (Marmota flaviventris)

• 1.1. All age groups gained mass during the active season, but mass-gain of adult females was delayed during lactation.
• 2.2. The relationship of body mass to metabolic rate varied widely; when the relationship was significant, R² varied from 10.3 to 72.6%. Body mass affects V_O2 more during lactation than at any other period.
• 3.3. Mean VinO₂ of adult males was higher in June than that of adult, non-lactating females.
• 4.4. V_O2 of reproductive females was significantly higher during lactation than during gestation or postlactation because specific V_O2 varied. Specific V_O2 of non-reproductive females declined over the active season.
• 5.5. Specific V_O2 of all age groups declined between the premolt and postmolt periods. The reduced maintenance costs can contribute 20–46% to daily growth.
• 6.6. Observed V_O2 was lower than the value predicted from intraspecific or interspecific Bm:M regressions.
• 7.7. V_O2 of wild-caught marmots was lower than that of marmots maintained in the laboratory, probably because of dietary differences.
• 8.8. Because basal metabolism is a stage on a food-deprivation curve, we suggest that basal metabolic rate is not an appropriate measure of the metabolic activity of free-ranging animals.

     

Carbohydrate metabolism during osmoregulation in Chasmagnathus granulata dana, 1851 (crustacea,decapoda)

• 1.1. Since glucose is one of the main energetic substrates for general metabolic processes in crustaceans, analysis of carbohydrate levels can furnish information on the energy metabolism of intact animals during osmoregulation.
• 2.2. Different groups of Chasmagnathus granulata were transferred to different salinities (0 and 40%), and the glucose and glycogen concentrations in blood, gills, muscle and hepatopancreas were determined at the beginning of the experiment and 24, 72, 168 and 360 hr after the salinity changes.
• 3.3. Differences in tissues carbohydrate levels were observed between summer and winter, that reflected differences in reserve mobilization.
• 4.4. In the summer, hypo- and hyperosmotic shocks induced an increase in carbohydrate levels in almost all tissues studied, indicating gluconeogenesis.
• 5.5. In the winter, a carbohydrate mobilization occurred only in the gills and hepatopancreas after both osmotic shocks.
• 6.6. Thus, the substrate reserve used for energy production required for osmoregulation seems to be dependent on the season and tissues.

     

Ventilatory rate in the butterfish (Pholis gunnellus) as a consequence of temperature and previous emersion

• 1.1. Observation of ventilation in immersed Pholis gunnellus showed a linear relationship between ventilatory rate and temperature between 8 and 20°C.
• 2.2. At 13°C and after 30 min emersion, ventilatory rate was initially lower than prior to emersion, providing evidence of adequate uptake of O₂ for standard metabolism during the emersion period.
• 3.3. This species has a laterally elongate body form with reduced scales and extensive mucus secretion.
• 4.4. During emersion, gaping behaviour probably exposes the gills and extensively vascularised oesophageal regions to air.
• 5.5. These are considered to be morphological and behavioural adaptations by P. gunnellus, to aerial respiration in the intertidal habitats occupied by this species.

     

Rates of heat exchange in the ornate box turtle,Terrapene ornata

• 1.1. Eight ornate box turtles, Terrapene ornata, were heated and cooled in water at 35 and 15°C respectively.
• 2.2. Thermal time constants were calculated and no significant differences were found (t-test; 0.05 level) between warming and cooling rates.
• 3.3. Heart-rate data indicated slightly higher, but non-significant, mean values during warming.
• 4.4. It was concluded that T. ornata is not able to physiologically alter rates of heat exchange in water significantly and must rely on behavioral mechanisms to maintain body temperature.

     

The effect of salinity on respiratory metabolism in selected ontogenetic stages of the freshwater shrimp Macrobrachium olfersii (Decapoda,palaemonidae)

• 1.1. The effect of acute salinity exposure (0, 7, 14, 21, 28 and 35%.S) on the respiratory metabolism of selected ontogenetic stages (zoeae, postlarvae and adults) of the freshwater shrimp Macrobrachium olfersiiwas examined.
• 2.2. Metabolic rates are salinity independent from 14 to 28%. S in zoeae 1–4, but tend to increase with increasing salinity in zoeae 5 and 8. Postlarvae exhibit maximal rates in midrange salinities while in adult shrimps, oxygen consumption rates decrease with salinity increase.
• 3.3. Salinity has little effect on the metabolism-weight relationship, regression analysis indicating that b varies from 0.69 in 0%. S to 0.62 in 35%. S.
• 4.4. Data are discussed as to whether larval responses reflect adaptation to the adult biotope and whether development of the larval neurosecretory system might affect metabolic response to salinity exposure.

     

Effects of salinity and temperature on oxygen consumption in a freshwater population of Palaemonetes antennarius (Crustacea,decapoda)

• 1.1. After step-like increases in salinity the shrimps exhibit the smallest increase in oxygen consumption in the lower salinity range. At higher salinities the shrimps show longer recovery times and greater increases in the metabolic rate after salinity shock.
• 2.2. In steady-state experiments, the shrimps display the lowest oxygen consumption rates near the isosmotic point. The lowest metabolic rates occur at salinities of 3‰ and 10‰ At salinities of 20‰ and above the rate of metabolism increases by 20–30%.
• 3.3. The calculated osmoregulatory work for animals in fresh water amounts to only 2.7% of routine metabolism and drops to 1.1% for shrimps in 3‰ and 0.7% in 5‰ salinity.
• 4.4. Locomotory activity in the form of position change was not responsible for the increased oxygen consumption of the animals after salinity shocks. A “tentative swimming activity” by fast and frequent beating of the pleopods without position change may be an important factor in the increase of metabolic rates.
• 5.5. In its temperature response, the brackish water population has a higher metabolic rate than the freshwater one. Between 5 and 35°C Q ₁₀-values range from 4.01 to 1.37.

     

Effect of hibernation on liver and kidney metabolism in 13-lined ground squirrels

• 1.1. Metabolic rates and adenine nucleotide content of liver and kidney from hibernating ground squirrels were measured and compared to rats to study the biochemical adaptation to hibernation.
• 2.2. High rates of renal and hepatic gluconeogenesis were observed in squirrels, particularly from propionate and glycerol compared to rat.
• 3.3. During hibernation and starvation soluble phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase activity was increased in both liver and kidney.
• 4.4. Although metabolic rates are decreased during hibernation the results suggest that the enzymic complement is maintained at high activity even during torpor.

     

Carbohydrate metabolism in several tissues of rainbow trout,Oncorhynchus mykiss,is modified during ovarian recrudescence

• 1.1. Several pathways of carbohydrate metabolism were evaluated in three different tissues—liver, gonad and kidney—of a hatchery-reared population of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) which characterised two different stages of their gonadal maturation, i.e. previtellogenesis and established exogenous vitellogenesis.
• 2.2. A fall in liver glycogen levels was observed during exogenous vitellogenesis. A decrease in activity of the enzymes involved in glycolysis and in the pentose phosphate shunt was also observed, suggesting that at the end of exogenous vitellogenesis the necessity of energy and reducing power has decreased compared to the situation at the onset of this period.
• 3.3. The main changes observed in gonad during vitellogenesis were the decreased activity of glycolysis and the pentose phosphate shunt as well as increased glycogen levels. The stored glycogen should be used later in association with the embryo development.
• 4.4. No major changes were observed in kidney metabolism throughout the vitellogenic process.
• 5.5. Exogenous vitellogenesis in rainbow trout is mainly associated with increased glycogen levels in the gonad and decreased metabolic activity in the liver.

     

Heat production of fish: A literature review

• 1.1. Results of investigations on direct calorimetry and simultaneous measurements of oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide and ammonia production of fish are summarized.
• 2.2. By means of indirect calorimetric formulae, the heat production and the protein, carbohydrate and fat oxidation are calculated from the oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide and ammonia production.
• 3.3. The lowest heat production values are obtained by long-term monitoring of groups of fish during darkness and under fasting conditions.
• 4.4. It is concluded that the heat production of standard metabolism at 20°C is 700J/hr/MW (MW = metabolic weight, kg^0.85).

     

The oxygen consumption rates of three gastrotrichs

• 1.1. The oxygen consumption rates for three sympatric species of marine gastrotrichs (anatomically similar, except that one contains hemoglobin) were measured with a Cartesian diver microrespirometer.
• 2.2. The rates for the two species without hemoglobin, Turbanella ocellata and Dolichodasys carolinensis, were 307.2 μl O₂ g⁻¹ hr⁻¹ and 108.0 μl O₂ g⁻¹ hr⁻¹, respectively, while the rate for the hemoglobin-containing species, Neodasys, was 208.9 μl O₂ g⁻¹ hr⁻¹.
• 3.3. The possession of hemoglobin by Neodasys (14% by volume) cannot be explained by an unusually high demand for oxygen.
• 4.4. Instead, the hemoglobin may be useful as an oxygen store providing continued aerobic metabolism in anoxic conditions, thus allowing Neodasys to exploit a different niche.

     

Metabolic and contractile differentiation of rabbit muscles during growth

• 1.1. A study was carried out of post-natal evolution of the oxidative, glycolytic and contractile capacities in various types of rabbit muscle.
• 2.2. At birth, muscles are non-differentiated and present very limited metabolic and contractile activity, metabolism is mainly oxidative in all muscles.
• 3.3. Although muscular discrimination is manifest from the sixth week after birth, the glycolytic metabolism reaches its maximum capacity only after six to eight weeks.
• 4.4. Subsequently, oxidative metabolic capacity steadily decreases until adulthood.