The influence of heat increment of feeding on basal metabolic rate in Phyllotis darwini (Muridae).
One of the most important prerequisites for obtaining a reliable measure of basal metabolic rate (BMR) in endotherms is that the animal must be in a post-absorptive condition. However, because of the diversity of nutrition and digestion modes in vertebrates, it is not simple to generalize a standard procedure for BMR measurement. Thus, information in this regard must be experimentally obtained by measuring the heat increment of feeding (HIF). We used a repeated-measures design to test for the effects of HIF on BMR in Phyllotis darwini, a granivorous rodent. Our results suggest that, in this species, feeding induces an elevation in O(2) consumption that can persist up to 4 h after the last meal. In addition, and irrespective of the fasting period, measures made with less than 2 h of fasting yield BMR values that are significantly higher than measurements after longer fasting periods (i.e. 3 and 4 h).
Nespolo
Roberto F
RF
Departamento de Ecología, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, 6513677, Santiago, Chile. rnespolo@genes.bio.puc.cl
Bacigalupe
Leonardo D
LD
Bozinovic
Francisco
F
D000818:Animals; D001481:Basal Metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D001831:Body Temperature / Q000502:physiology; D004435:Eating / Q000502:physiology*; D005215:Fasting / Q000502:physiology; D006358:Hot Temperature; D008297:Male; D009115:Muridae / Q000378:metabolism*; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology; D012119:Respiration