Photoperiodic effects on body mass, energy balance and hypothalamic gene expression in the bank vole
2004
SUMMARY We examined the effect of increasing photoperiod, at a constant low
temperature, on the body mass and energy budget of the bank vole
Clethrionomys glareolus . Simultaneously, we determined the
hypothalamic gene expression of neuropeptides and receptors known to be
involved in short-term energy balance. Despite an increase in body mass
(approximately 10% of initial mass), we found no significant changes in any
energetic parameters (food intake, energy assimilation rate, resting metabolic
rate and total daily energy expenditure by doubly-labelled water). Apparent
energy assimilation efficiency was higher in voles exposed to long-days (LD)
compared to short-days (SD). Surprisingly, gene expression of corticotrophin
releasing factor (CRF; in the paraventricular nucleus), and the melanocortin-3
receptor (in the arcuate nucleus), both known to be involved in appetite
suppression and elevation of energy expenditure in short-term energy balance,
were higher in voles kept in LD compared to SD. CRF expression was also
elevated in females compared to males. These paradoxical data suggest an
alternative mechanism for the control of seasonal body mass changes compared
to short-term body mass changes, and between male and female voles.
Furthermore, they highlight the need for studies to perform simultaneous
measurements at both the molecular and whole animal levels.
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