关键词: 根田鼠, 褐色脂肪组织, 驯化, 线粒体

Abstract: The effects of ambient temperature and photoperiod on the thermogenic characteristics of brown adipose tissue EAT) in root voles (Microtus oecnomus) were examined. Root voles were acclimated to the following conditions for two weeks: 1) long day-warm temperature 16L: 8D 23 ℃); 2) Long day-cold temperature t6L:8D, 5 ℃); 3) short day-warm temperature 8L: 16D 23 ℃); and 4) short day-cold temperature 8L: 16D 5 ℃). The results showed that both temperature and photoperiod were the important environmental factors for variations of thermogenesis in root voles. Low temperature and/or short photoperiod could induce increases in BAT protein contents BAT mitochondrial protein contents, and cytochrome C oxidase activity of BAT mitochondria. Combined with the responses of thermogenesis to these factors at organism level. It seemed that root voles were more sensitive to short photoperiod and cold temperature could strengthen this effect. The results support the hypothesis that ambient temperature combined with photoperiod induce the thermogenic adjustments for small mammals.

Key words: Root vole (Microtus oeconomus), Brown adipose tissue (BAT), Acclimation, Mitochondria