Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Seasonal adjustments in body mass and thermogenesis in Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus): the roles of short photoperiod and cold

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Journal of Comparative Physiology B Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Seasonal adjustments in body mass and thermogenesis are important for the survival of small mammals during acclimatization in the temperate zone. To determine the contributions of short photoperiod and cold temperatures to seasonal changes in thermogenesis and body mass in Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus), body mass, basal metabolic rate (BMR), nonshivering thermogenesis (NST), energy intake and energy digestibility were determined in seasonally acclimatized and laboratory acclimated animals. Body mass showed significant seasonal changes and decreased to a minimum in winter. Both BMR and NST increased in winter, and these changes were mimicked by exposing animals to short photoperiod or cold temperatures in the animal house. Digestible energy intake also increased significantly in winter, and also during exposure of housed animals to both short photoperiod and cold. These results suggest that Mongolian gerbils overcome winter thermoregulatory challenges by increasing energy intake and thermogenesis, and decreasing body mass to reduce total energy requirements. Short photoperiod and cold can serve as effective environmental cues during seasonal acclimatization.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Bacigalupe LD and Bozinovic F (2002) Design, limitations and sustained metabolic rate: lessons from small mammals. J Exp Biol 205:2963–2970

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bartness TJ and Wade GN (1984) Photoperiodic control of body weight and energy metabolism in Syrian hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus): role of pineal gland, melatonin, gonads, and diet. Endocrinology 114:492–498

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bartness TJ and Wade GN (1985) Photoperiodic control of seasonal body weight cycles in hamsters. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 9:599–612

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bartness TJ, Demas GE, Song CK (2002) Seasonal changes in adiposity: the roles of the photoperiod, melatonin and other hormones, and sympathetic nervous system. Exp Biol Med 227:363–376

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bozinovic F, Novoa FF, Veloso C (1990) Seasonal changes in energy expenditure and digestive tract of Abrothrix andinus (Cricetidae) in the Andes Range. Physiol Zool 63:1216–1231

    Google Scholar 

  • Bozinovic F, Bacigalupe LD, Vasquez RA, Visser GH, Veloso C, Kenagy GJ (2004) Cost of living in free-ranging degus (Octodon degus): seasonal dynamics of energy expenditure. Comp Biochem Physiol A 137:597–604

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dark J, Zucker I, Wade GN (1983) Photoperiodic regulation of body mass, food intake, and reproduction in meadow voles. Am J Physiol 245:R334–R338

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Del Valle JC and Busch C (2003) Body composition and gut length of Akodon azarae (Muridae: Sigmodontinae): relationship with energetic requirements. Acta Theriol 48(3):347–357

    Google Scholar 

  • Gorecki A (1975) Kalabukhov-Skvortsov respirometer and resting metabolic rate measurement. In: Grodzinski W, Klekowski R, Duncan ZA (eds) Methods for ecological energetics. Blackwell, Oxford, pp 309–313

    Google Scholar 

  • Grodzinski W, Wunder BA (1975) Ecological energetics of small mammals. In: Golley FB, Petrusewicz K, Ryszkowski L (eds) Small mammls: their productivity and population dynamics. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, pp 173–204

    Google Scholar 

  • Hayssen V, Lacy RC (1985) Basal metabolic rate in mammals: taxonomic differences in the allometry of BMR and body mass. Comp Biochem Physiol 81A:741–754

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Heldmaier D (1971) Zitterfreie warmebidung und körpergröbe säugetieren. Z Vergl Physiol 73:222–248

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Heldmaier G and Steinlechner S (1981) Seasonal control of energy requirements for thermoregulation in the Djungarian hamster (Phodopus sungorus), living in natural photoperiod. J Comp Physiol B 142:429–437

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Heldmaier G, Steinlechner S, Rafael J, and Vsiansky P (1981) Photoperiodic control and effects of melatonin on nonshivering thermogenesis and brown adipose tissue. Science 212:917–919

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Heldmaier G, Steinlechner S, Rafael J, Latteier B (1982) Photoperiod and ambient temperature as environmental cues for seasonal thermogenic adaptation in the Djungarian hamster, Phodopus sungorus. Int J Biometeorol 26:339–345

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Heldmaier G, Steinlechner S, Rafael J (1982) Nonshivering thermogenesis and cold resistance during seasonal acclimation in the Djungarian hamster. J Comp Physiol B 149:1–9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Iverson SL, Turner BN (1974) Winter weight dynamics in Microtus pennsylvanicus. Ecology 55:1030–1041

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jackson DM, Hambly C, Trayhurn P, Speakman JR (2001) Associations between energetics and over-winter survival in the short-tailed field vole Microtus agrestis. J Anim Ecol 70:633–640

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jansky L, Haddad G, Pospisilova D, Dvorak P (1986) Effect of external factors on gonadal activity and body mass of male golden hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus). J Comp Physiol B 156:717–725

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Klaus S, Heldmaier G, Ricquier D (1988) Seasonal acclimation of bank voles and wood mice: nonshivering thermogenesis and thermogenic properties of brown adipose tissue mitochondria. J Comp Physiol B 158:157–164

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Klingenspor M, Klaus S, Wiesinger H, Heldmaier G (1989) Short photoperiod and cold activate brown fat lipoprotein lipase in the Djungarian hamster. Am J Physiol 257:R1123–R1127

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Klingenspor M, Niggemann H, Heldmaier G (2000) Modulation of leptin sensitivity by short photoperiod acclimation in the Djungarian hamster, Phodopus sungorus. J Comp Physiol B 170:37–43

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Knopper LD and Boily P (2000) The energy budget of captive Siberian hamster, Phodopus sungorus, exposed to photoperiod changes: mass loss is caused by a voluntary decrease in food intake. Physiol Biochem Zool 73:517–522

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kronfeld-Schor N, Haim A, Dayan T, Zisapel N, Klingenspor M, Heldmaier G (2000) Seasonal thermogenic acclimation of diurnally and nocturnally active desert spiny mice. Physiol Biochem Zool 73:37–44

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Li QF, Sun RY, Huang CX, Wang ZK, Liu XT, Hou JJ, Liu JS, Cai LQ, Li N, Zhang SZ, Wang Y (2001) Cold adaptive thermogenesis in small mammals from different geographical zones of China. Comp Biochem Physiol A 129:949–961

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Li XS, Wang DH (2005) Regulation of body weight and thermogenesis in seasonally acclimatized Brandt’s voles (Microtus brandti). Horm Behav (in press)

  • Li XS, Wand DH, Yang JC (2003) Effect of photoperiod on body weight and energy metabolism in Brandt’s voles (Microtus brandti) and Mongolian gebils (Meriones unguiculatus) (in Chinese with English summary). Acta Theriol Sin 23:304–311

    Google Scholar 

  • Li XS, Wang DH, Yang M (2004) Effects of cold acclimation on body weight, serum leptin level, energy metabolism and thermogenesis in the Mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus) (in Chinese with English summary). Acta Zool Sin 50:334–340

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Liu H, Wang DH, Wang ZW (2002) Maximum metabolizable energy intake in the Mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus). J Arid Environ 52:405–411

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liu H, Wang DH, Wang ZW (2003) Energy requirement during reproduction in female Brandt’s voles (Microtus brandti). J Mammal 84(4):1410–1416

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liu JS, Wang DH, Sun RY (2004) Metabolism and thermoregulation in three species of rodent from Northeastern China. J Therm Biol 29(3):177–183

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Merritt JF (1995) Seasonal thermogenesis and body changes in body mass of masked shrews, Sorex cinereus. J Mammal 76:1020–1035

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Merritt JF and Zegers DA (1991) Seasonal thermogenesis and body mass dynamics of Clethrionomys gapperi. Can J Zool 69:2771–2777

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Merritt JF, Zegers DA, Rose LR (2001) Seasonal thermogenesis of southern flying squirrels (Glaucomys volans). J Mammal 82:51–64

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nagy TR (1993) Effects of photoperiod history and temperature on male collared lemmings, Dicrostonyx groenlandicus. J Mammal 74:990–998

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nagy TR and Negus NC (1993) Energy acquisition and allocation in male collared lemmings (Dicrostonyx groenlandicus): effects of photoperiod, temperature, and diet quality. Physiol Zool 66:737–560

    Google Scholar 

  • Nagy TR, Gower BA, Stetson MH (1995) Endocrine correlates of seasonal body weight dynamics in the collared lemming (Dicrostonyx groenlandicus). Am Zool 35:246–258

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nespolo RF, Opazo JC, Rosenmann M, Bozinovic F (1999) Thermal acclimation, maximum metabolic rate and nonshivering thermogenesis in Phyllotis xanthopygus (Rodentia) inhabiting the Andean range. J Mammal 80:742–748

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Peacock WL, Krol E, Moar KM, McLaren JS, Mercer JG, Speakman JR (2004) Photoperiodic effects on body mass, energy balance and hypothalamic gene expression in the bank vole. J Exp Biol 207:165–177

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pei YX, Wang DH, Hume ID (2001) Effects of dietary fibre on digesta passage, nutrient digestibility, and gastrointestinal tract morphology in the granivorous Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus). Physiol Biochem Zool 74:742–749

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Powell CS, Blaylock ML, Wang R, Hunter HL, Johanning GL, Nagy TR (2002) Effects of energy expenditure and Ucp1 on photoperiod-induced weight gain in collard lemmings. Obes Res 10:541–550

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rosenmann M, Morrison P, Feist D (1975) Seasonal changes in the metabolic capacity of red-backed voles. Physiol Zool 48:303–310

    Google Scholar 

  • Song ZG, Wang DH (2001) Maximum energy assimilation rate in Brandt’s vole (Microtus brandti) from Inner Mongolian grassland (in Chinese with English summary) . Acta Theriol Sin 21:271–278

    Google Scholar 

  • Song, ZG, Wang DH (2002) Relationships between metabolic rates and body composition in the Mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus) (in Chinese with English summary). Acta Zoologica Sinica 48:445–451

    Google Scholar 

  • Song ZG, Wang DH (2003a) Metabolism and thermoregulation in the striped hamster Cricetulus barabensis. J Therm Biol 28:509–514

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Song, ZG, Wang DH (2003b) Relationships between metabolic rate and body composition in Brandt’s voles (Microtus brandti) (in Chinese with English summary). Acta Theriol Sin 23:230–234

    Google Scholar 

  • Speakman (1996) Energetics and the evolution of body size in small terrestrial mammals. Symp Zool Soc Lond 69:63–81

    Google Scholar 

  • Speakman JR, Johnson MS (2000) Relationships between resting metabolic rate and morphology in lactating mice: what tissues are the major contributors to resting metabolism?. In: Heldmaier G, Klingenspor M (eds) Life in the cold. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York, pp 497–486

    Google Scholar 

  • Steinlechner S, Heldmaier G, Becker H (1983) The seasonal cycle of body weight in the Djungarian hamster: photoperiod control and the influence of starvation and melatonin. Oecologia 60:401–405

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Veloso C and Bozinovic F (2000) Interplay between acclimation time and diet quality on basal metabolic rate in females of degus Octodon degus (Rodentia: octodontidae). J Zool 252:531–533

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Voltura MB (1996) Seasonal variation in body composition and gut capacity of the prairie vole (Microtus ochrogaster). Can J Zool 75:1714–1719

    Google Scholar 

  • Voltura MB and Wunder BA (1998) Effects of ambient temperature, diet quality, and food restriction on body composition dynamics of the prairie vole, Microtus ochrogaster. Physiol Zool 71:321–328

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang DH, Wang ZW (1996) Seasonal variations on thermogenesis and energy requirements of plateau pikas Ochotona curzoniae and root voles Microtus oeconomus. Acta Theriol 41:225–236

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang DH, Sun RY, Wang ZW, Liu JS (1999) Effects of temperature and photoperiod on thermogenesis in plateau pikas (Ochotona curzoniae) and root voles (Microtus oeconomus). J Comp Physiol B 169:77–83

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang DH, Wang YS, Wang ZW (2000) Metabolism and thermoregulation in the Mongolian gerbils Meriones unguiculatus. Acta Theriol 45(2):183–192

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang DH, Wang ZW, Wang YS, Yang JC (2003) Seasonal changes of thermogenesis in Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus) and Brandt’s voles (Microtus brandti) (Abstract). Comp Biochem and Physiol A 134:S96

    Google Scholar 

  • Wunder BA, Gettinger RD (1996) Effects of body mass and temperature acclimation on the nonshivering thermogenic response of small mammals. In: Geiser F, Hulbert AJ, Nicol SC (eds) Adaptions to the cold: tenth international hibernation symposium. University of New England Press, Armidale, pp 131–139

  • Zhang ZB, Wang ZW (1998) Ecology and management of rodent pests in agriculture (In Chinese with English summary). Ocean Press, Beijing

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhao ZJ,Wang DH (2005) Short photoperiod enhances thermogenic capacity in Brandt's voles. Physiol Behav 85(2):143-149

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

We are grateful to Professor Ian Hume, University of Sydney, Australia, for his helpful comments and correcting language errors. This study was supported by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 30170151 and 30430140) and the Chinese Academy of Sciences (No. KSCX2-SW-103) to DHW, and the State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents (IMP0302 and IMP0405).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 25 Beisihuan Xilu, Zhongguancun, Haidian Beijing, 100080, People’s Republic of China

    Xing-Sheng Li & De-Hua Wang

  2. Graduate School of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100039, China

    Xing-Sheng Li

Authors
  1. Xing-Sheng Li
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. De-Hua Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to De-Hua Wang.

Additional information

Communicated by I.D. Hume

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Li, XS., Wang, DH. Seasonal adjustments in body mass and thermogenesis in Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus): the roles of short photoperiod and cold. J Comp Physiol B 175, 593–600 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00360-005-0022-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00360-005-0022-2

Keywords

Search

Navigation