A comparison of the effects of prior cold incubation on cerebral cortex function in a hibernator ( Cricetus auratus) and a non-hibernator ( Cavia porcellus)—I. Oxygen consumption in cerebral cortex slices after in vitro cold incubation

Abstract

1. 1. Oxygen consumption was measured, in the presence and absence of K + salts, in brain slices from golden hamster and guinea pig after varying periods of cold incubation. 2. 2. Basal and K +-stimulated rates of respiration in guinea pig tissue were depressed after cold exposure whereas hamster tissue was relatively resistant to cold incubation. 3. 3. The results are discussed in relation to Na, K-ATPase activity, membrane lability and pre-adaptation for hibernation in the hamster.