Abstract

To investigate the relationship between the energy strategies in response to food restriction and the levels of metabolism in small mammals, body mass, resting metabolic rate (RMR), nonshivering thermogenesis (NST) and cytochrome c oxidase (COX) activity were measured in Apodemus chevrieri that were subjected to different levels of food restriction (FR). The results showed that cold-exposed group had significantly increased RMR and NST, but decreased body mass and survival rate after being restricted to 80% of ad libitum food intake compared with their counterparts maintained at room temperature. A. chevrieri with higher RMR consumed higher food intake than individuals with lower RMR, whereas no differences were observed in body mass and survival rate between two groups after being restricted to 80% of ad libitum food intake. The results suggest that A. chevrieri characterized by higher levels of metabolism are sensitive to periods of FR, providing a support for the “metabolism switch hypothesis”.

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.