Metabolic adaptations to hypothermia in snipe hatchings (Gallinago media)

1.	Physiological adaptation to hypothermia were studied in newly hatched great snipe chicks (Gallinago media) by measuring oxygen uptake (VO2), heart rate (HR), respiratory frequency (RF), and body temperature (Tb) at different ambient temperatures (Ta).
2.	Tb of 1-day-old chicks at Ta of 35°C stabilized at about 40°C. At Ta between 20 and 30°C the chicks maintained a Tb about 8°C above Ta. Hatchlings maintained a higher gradient when active than when resting. Below 20°C they were unable to maintain a stable Tb.
3.	In resting hatchlings VO2 was similar at Ta between 35 and 20°C (Tb 40–30°C), VO2 range 1.7–2.5 ml·g-1·h-1. Below 20°C, VO2 declined with time.
4.	The HR of 1-day-old chicks fell linearly with Tb during cooling. The Q10 of the HR was 1.7 at Tb 38°C and increased to 3.0 at 29°C. The RF showed a slight tendency to decrease with decreasing Tb.
5.	It is concluded that the ability to maintain normal dexterity at low Tb is an important aspect of snipe survival strategy. Maintaining a temperature gradient rather than a constant high Tb presumably saves energy. It is suggested that the mechanisms whereby VO2 is maintained at a low Tb may involve isoenzymes and adaptations of the nervous system. However, such adaptations would not seem to affect the pacemaker mechanism as evidenced by the high Q10 of the HR.