Hibernation hypothermia and metabolism in hedgehogs--changes in free amino acids and related compounds.
1. Hypothermia in midwinter revealed a marked increase in GABA and glutamine due to active decarboxylation and amidation of glutamic acid. This influenced the glutamate-aspartate pathway and resulted in a significant drop in levels of both acids. 2. Elevated levels of GABA and taurine during hibernation pointed to their role as inhibitory neurotransmitters. 3. Amidation of glutamate induced a noticeable drop in ammonia concurring with increased urea and low uric acid levels. 4. Hypothermia in summer revealed a significant role of temperature as a determining factor in the hibernation cycle. Arousal was a repeated, though reversed, phenomenon in this cycle.
D000596:Amino Acids / Q000032:analysis*; D000818:Animals; D005973:Glutamine / Q000032:analysis; D006364:Hedgehogs / Q000378:metabolism*; D006605:Hibernation; D007035:Hypothermia / Q000378:metabolism; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000032:analysis
D000596:Amino Acids; D005973:Glutamine; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid