Effects of photoperiod on energy metabolism and thermogenesis in the Melano-bellied oriental vole (Eothenomys melanogaster)

Abstract

Seasonal changes in photoperiod are important environmental factors for small mammals to adjust some physiological processes. In order to further understand the adaptive physiological strategies in Melano-bellied oriental vole (Eothenomys melanogaster) and integrated changes from organism to cell levels, the responses of this species were studied in different photoperiods. Experiment data indicated that Melano-bellied oriental vole exhibited adaptive physiological regulations when exposed to different photoperiod. The plasticity in energy intake, basal metabolic rate (BMR) and nonshivering thermogenesis (NST) was very important for the regulations in energy balance and thermogenesis in Melano-bellied oriental vole exposed to different photoperiod. Change in brown adipose tissue (BAT) cytochrome c oxidase (COX) activity and liver COX activity was one of the cellular basis for adaptive thermogenesis.

Keywords: Melano-bellied oriental vole, photoperiod, energy metabolism, brown adipose tissue, cytochrome c oxidase, thermogenesis