Effects of photoperiod history on body mass and energy metabolism in Brandt's voles (Lasiopodomys brandtii)

Abstract

SUMMARY Many small mammals respond to seasonal changes in photoperiod via alterations in morphology, physiology and behaviour. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that the preweaning (from embryo to weaning) photoperiod experience can affect subsequent development in terms of body mass and thermogenesis. Brandt's voles (Lasiopodomys brandtii) were gestated and reared to weaning under either a short (SD, 8 h:16 h L:D) or a long photoperiod (LD, 16 h:8 h L:D) at a constant ambient temperature (23°C). At weaning, male juveniles were either maintained in their initial photoperiod or transferred to the alternative photoperiod for 8 weeks. Postweaning SD voles had a lower body mass but higher thermogenic capacity compared with LD voles. At the same time, preweaning photoperiod conditions had long-lasting effects on thermogenic capacity later in life. Serum leptin concentration was positively correlated with body mass and body fat mass, whereas it was negatively correlated with energy intake and uncoupling protein 1 content in brown adipose tissue. Our results suggest that postweaning development in terms of body mass and thermogenesis is predominantly influenced by the postweaning photoperiod, while the preweaning photoperiod experience could chronically modify thermogenesis but not body mass. Furthermore, serum leptin,acting as a potential adipostatic signal, may be involved in the regulation of both energy intake and energy expenditure.

Diet induced obesity inApodemus chevrieri(Mammalia: Rodentia: Muridae)

“…The present data also showed that weight gain became higher in long-day A. chevrieri than short-day A. chevrieri. Lu et al (2007) found that Brandt's voles experiencing short-day history increased their body mass and body fat mass after being transferred to the long-day condition, suggesting that not only short day but also long day imposed a great effect on body mass. It was reported that the species showing decreases in body mass or body fat mass in fall for seasonal acclimatization or short day for acclimation tended to resist to high-fat diet-induced obesity (Peacock & Speakman 2001;Krol et al 2005).…”

Humoral immune response suppresses reproductive physiology in male Brandt's voles (Lasiopodomys brandtii)

“…The animals were in the chambers without bedding for about 60 min to stabilize and each test lasted for 60 min with oxygen consumption recordings at 5 min intervals. The two lowest consecutive readings were used to calculate RMR and corrected to standard temperature and pressure (STP) conditions (Lu et al, 2007). Body mass (BM) of voles was measured before and after each test.…”

Effects of maternal stress induced by predator odors during gestation on behavioral and physiological responses of offspring in Brandt's vole (Lasiopodomys brandtii)

“…This can change cognition, mentality, psychology and behavior (Lucas 2005;Plagemann 2005). Field and laboratory studies have shown that different environmental experiences, such as photoperiod (Lu et al 2007), temperature (Zhang et al 2011), alimentary effect (Lou et al 2015), social effects (Mirescu et al 2004;Lieberwirth et al 2012) and stress (Fan et al 2009;Storm & Lima 2010;Toumi et al 2016) significantly affect maternal reproductive strategies during the breeding season, and have a long-term effect on the growth and metabolic phenotype of offspring.…”