Thermal constraints on maternal behavior during reproduction in dwarf hamsters (Phodopus)

Scribner, Stephen J.; Wynne‐Edwards, Katherine E.

doi:10.1016/0031-9384(94)90077-9

Cited by 37 publications

(23 citation statements)

References 22 publications

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“…sows (Ulmershakibaei and Plonait, 1992), and presumably their unfavourable surface to volume ratio for heat dissipation exacerbates the impact of ambient temperature on their lactation performance. Direct measurements of the maternal body temperature of some rodents confirm that lactating females also have a continuously elevated body temperature compared with non-reproducing individuals: mice (Speakman, 2008), rats Leon et al, 1978) and Siberian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus) (Scribner and Wynne-Edwards, 1994a). Several studies have suggested that there are direct effects of the litter on maternal hyperthermia resulting from mother-pup contact Adels and Leon, 1986;Scribner and Wynne-Edwards, 1994b).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Limits to sustained energy intake. XI. A test of the heat dissipation limitation hypothesis in lactating Brandt's voles (Lasiopodomys brandtii)

Zhang

Speakman

et al. 2009

Journal of Experimental Biology

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SUMMARYThe maximum rate of sustained energy intake (SusEI) may limit reproductive effort, thermoregulatory capability and other aspects of an animal's energy expenditure. Consequently, factors that limit SusEI are of interest. The 'heat dissipation limitation hypothesis' suggests that maximum SusEI during lactation is limited by the capacity to dissipate body heat generated as a byproduct of processing food and producing milk. In the present study, we tested the heat dissipation limitation hypothesis in lactating Brandt's voles (Lasiopodomys brandtii). Female voles were mated and pregnant at 21(±1)°C. A random sample of animals was transferred into a hot room 30(±1)°C on the day of parturition. The energy intake of lactating voles at 30°C was always lower than that at 21°C. At peak lactation food intake was 3.3gday -1 lower at 30°C than at 21°C. There was no significant difference in digestibility. With similar mean litter sizes (7.26±0.46 pups at 21°C and 7.78±0.39 pups at 30°C at the beginning of parturition, 6.83±0.51 pups at 21°C and 7.73±0.50 pups at 30°C at weaning), the milk energy output of mothers, evaluated from the difference between metabolizable energy intake and daily energy expenditure measured by doubly labelled water, at 30°C was 23.3kJday -1 lower than that at 21°C on days 14-16 of lactation. As for reproductive performance, there was a difference in the response to the higher temperature between mothers raising large and those raising small litters. For small litters (<7) there was no significant change in litter mass, but for large litters (≥7) there was a significant decrease at the higher temperature. On average, in larger litters the pups were 15.5g heavier on day 12 of lactation when raised at 21°C. Our data from Brandt's voles support the suggestion that SusEI at peak lactation is limited by heat dissipation capacity, particularly for those voles raising large litters. In smaller litters the peripheral limitation hypothesis may be more relevant. The importance of heat dissipation limits in species raising exclusively small litters needs to be investigated.Key words: Brandt's voles (Lasiopodomys brandtii), lactation, heat dissipation limitation hypothesis, food intake, digestive efficiency, metabolizable energy intake, daily energy expenditure, milk energy output, pup energy content, doubly labelled water.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Limits to sustained energy intake. XI. A test of the heat dissipation limitation hypothesis in lactating Brandt's voles (Lasiopodomys brandtii)

Zhang

Speakman

et al. 2009

Journal of Experimental Biology

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“…Lowered physical activity is characteristic of lactation (Slonaker, 1924;Wang, 1923;Zhao et al, 2013b). However, lactating females generally have greatly elevated body temperatures (Melanie et al, 1988;Scribner and Wynne-Edwards, 1994;Ulmershakibaei and Plonait, 1992). This inconsistent effect is explained by the observed impact of the prolactin treatment on UCP1 content of the iBAT.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Limits to sustained energy intake XIX: A test of the heat dissipation limitation hypothesis in Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus)

Yang

Wang

et al. 2013

Journal of Experimental Biology

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SUMMARY We evaluated factors limiting lactating Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus) at three temperatures (10, 21 and 30°C−1 less energy as milk at peak lactation than those allocated to 10 or 21°C, with no difference between the latter groups. On day 14 of lactation, the litter masses at 10 and 30°C were 12.2 and 9.3g lower than those at 21°C, respectively. Lactating gerbils had higher thermal conductance of the fur and lower UCP-1 levels in brown adipose tissue than non-reproductive gerbils, independent of ambient temperature, suggesting that they were attempting to avoid heat stress. Thermal conductance of the fur was positively related to circulating prolactin levels. We implanted non-reproductive gerbils with mini-osmotic pumps that delivered either prolactin or saline. Prolactin did not influence thermal conductance of the fur, but did reduce physical activity and UCP-1 levels in brown adipose tissue. Transferring lactating gerbils from warm to hot conditions resulted in reduced milk production, consistent with the heat dissipation limit theory, but transferring them from warm to cold conditions did not elevate milk production, consistent with the peripheral limitation hypothesis, and placed constraints on pup growth. Supplementary material available online at

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“…This reduces soil temperature so that burrows that are approximately 1 m deep remain cool throughout the summer (approx 18 8C; Wynne-Edwards 1998, 2003. Breeding P. campbelli females are intolerant of ambient temperatures typically used to house laboratory rodents (23 8C) and suffer maternal hyperthermia (Scribner & Wynne-Edwards 1994a, 1994b) that constrains pup attendance (Walton & Wynne-Edwards 1997) and reduces pup survival (Wynne-Edwards & Lisk 1988) relative to an ambient temperature of 18 8C. For this reason, the populations studied here are, and have been, maintained at an ambient temperature of 18 8C (Wynne- Edwards & Lisk 1988.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Phodopus campbelli detect reduced photoperiod during development but, unlike Phodopus sungorus, retain functional reproductive physiology

Timonin¹,

Place²,

Wanderi³

et al. 2006

Reproduction

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Golden (Mesocricetus auratus) and Siberian (Phodopus sungorus) hamsters are widely used as animal models for seasonal reproduction; but M. auratus shows no developmental delay in short days until after sexual maturity, whereas P. sungorus juveniles delay development in short days. As the photoperiodic response of Phodopus campbelli is not well established, litters of the two Phodopus species were gestated and reared under long days (14 h light:10 h darkness) or short days (10 h light:14 h darkness) until 70 days of age. As expected, under short photoperiod P. sungorus showed reduced body, testes, epididymides, uterus, and ovary weight; antral follicles and corpora lutea were absent and vaginae remained closed. Animals moulted to winter pelage, and low concentrations of each of leptin, testosterone, and prolactin were present in male serum. Phodopus campbelli juveniles also responded to the short photoperiod as measured by reduced body, testes, epididymides, and ovary weight. The summer pelage persisted. However, both sexes of P. campbelli developed functional reproduction under 10 h light:14 h darkness. All females had a patent vagina by 10 weeks; ovaries contained antral follicles and corpora lutea, and uteri were not reduced in weight. In males, the concentrations of testosterone, leptin, and prolactin were not reduced by short photoperiod. Developmental patterns in the three species of hamster, therefore, differ and are not predicted by relatedness or latitude of origin. Other ecological traits, such as predictability of summer rainfall, ambient temperature, and differential responses to social cues might be important.

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Thermal constraints on maternal behavior during reproduction in dwarf hamsters (Phodopus)

Cited by 37 publications

References 22 publications

Limits to sustained energy intake. XI. A test of the heat dissipation limitation hypothesis in lactating Brandt's voles (Lasiopodomys brandtii)

Limits to sustained energy intake. XI. A test of the heat dissipation limitation hypothesis in lactating Brandt's voles (Lasiopodomys brandtii)

Limits to sustained energy intake XIX: A test of the heat dissipation limitation hypothesis in Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus)

Phodopus campbelli detect reduced photoperiod during development but, unlike Phodopus sungorus, retain functional reproductive physiology

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