Relationship between body and testis temperatures in the European hedgehog, Erinaceus europaeus, during hibernation and sexual reactivation.
Simultaneous telemetry of the body and testis temperatures of 8 hedgehogs was carried out during hibernation and during sexual reactivation in spring. Between October and January, when the testes were involuted, the body/testis temperature differential was variable, with mean daily testis temperatures up to 1 degrees C warmer than body temperatures. From mid-February onwards, when plasma testosterone approached maximal concentrations, mean testicular temperatures stabilized 1.4 +/- 0.2 degrees C below body temperatures. During spermatogenesis testicular temperature of hedgehogs was significantly lower than body temperature. Over the euthermic body temperature range of 34.7-36.2 degrees C, testicular temperatures varied from 34.0 to 34.9 degrees C. Only at body temperatures over 36.2 degrees C did testicular temperature reach 35 degrees C. During spermatogenesis hedgehog testis temperatures are similar to those of many scrotal mammals.
Department of Zoology, University of Aberdeen, U.K.
P A
PA
Fowler
P A
PA
Racey
D000818:Animals; D001831:Body Temperature; D006364:Hedgehogs / Q000502:physiology*; D006605:Hibernation; D008297:Male; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal; D013091:Spermatogenesis; D013686:Telemetry; D013737:Testis / Q000502:physiology*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
D013739:Testosterone