Variations in thermal physiology and energetics of the tree shrew (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Tupaia belangeri</Emphasis>) in response to cold acclimation |
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Authors: | Lin?Zhang Peng-fei?Liu Wan-long?Zhu Jin-hong?Cai Email author" target="_blank">Zheng-kun?WangEmail author |
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Institution: | (1) School of Life Science, Yunnan Normal University, 298, 121th Street, Kunming, 650092, Yunnan, China;(2) Pingliang Medical College, Pingliang, 744000, Gansu, China |
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Abstract: | Variations in environmental factors instigate significant changes in the physiology and behavior of animals, necessary for
their survival. The present study investigated the hypothesis that ambient temperature is a cue capable of inducing changes
in body mass, energy intake, and thermogenic capacity. Moreover, the current study determined the potential role of leptin
in regulating adaptive thermogenesis in tree shrews (Tupaia belangeri). The tree shrew was chosen as the experimental animal as they inhabit a wide area of Asia and must acclimatize to the cold.
Animals were subjected to either 5°C over 28 days to simulate cold acclimation, or maintained under the original climate of
room temperature. At 28 days cold-acclimatized shrews had increased body mass by 9.41 g compared to controls. The increase
in body mass was found primarily to be due to growth of the digestive organs, combined with significantly increased food intake.
Under cold acclimation, uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) expression in brown adipose tissue (BAT) was significantly elevated, while
serum leptin concentration was significantly depressed below control levels. Serum leptin concentration was negatively correlated
with body mass, energy intake, and thermogenic capacity during cold acclimation. In summary, these findings indicate that
tree shrews adjust energy intake, thermogenic capacity, and body reserves in response to the cold, and further suggest that
circulating leptin may act as a key signaling protein to regulate these adaptations. |
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