关键词: 长爪沙鼠, 自愿转轮运动, 体重, 能量摄入, 瘦素

Abstract: In order to explore the effects of voluntary wheel exercise on body mass and energy metabolism in male Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus),we determined the body mass,energy intake,digestibility, resting metabolic rate (RMR),nonshivering thermogenesis (NST), body fat content,serum thyroid hormones (T₃ and T₄ )and leptin concentrations in two groups,the control and the exercise group which are treated with 8-week-wheel running exercise. Body mass and energy intake increased in exercise group compared with control. Voluntary wheel exercise had no effects on digestibility, RMR,body fat content,serum leptin levels and T₃ and T₄ concentration, and mitochondrial protein content in brown adipose tissue,but the concentrations of T₃ and T₄ of wheel running gerbils were lower than those in the control by 10% and 38%, respectively, while the leptin levels and body fat mass increased by 27% and 33%, respectively. Serum leptin concentration was correlated positively with body fat mass but not related with energy intake. Altogether,voluntary wheel exercise stimulated the increase in body mass and food intake (exercise induced hyperphagia) but not in body fat contents in male Mongolian gerbils. The potential roles of leptin and thyroid hormones in the regulation of energy metabolism and energy balance in male Mongolian gerbils need to to be further studied.

Key words: Body mass, Gross energy intake, Leptin, Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus), Voluntary wheel exercise