Effects of photoperiod history on body mass and energy metabolism in Brandt's voles (Lasiopodomys brandtii).
Many small mammals respond to seasonal changes in photoperiod via alterations in morphology, physiology and behaviour. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that the preweaning (from embryo to weaning) photoperiod experience can affect subsequent development in terms of body mass and thermogenesis. Brandt's voles (Lasiopodomys brandtii) were gestated and reared to weaning under either a short (SD, 8 h:16 h L:D) or a long photoperiod (LD, 16 h:8 h L:D) at a constant ambient temperature (23 degrees C). At weaning, male juveniles were either maintained in their initial photoperiod or transferred to the alternative photoperiod for 8 weeks. Postweaning SD voles had a lower body mass but higher thermogenic capacity compared with LD voles. At the same time, preweaning photoperiod conditions had long-lasting effects on thermogenic capacity later in life. Serum leptin concentration was positively correlated with body mass and body fat mass, whereas it was negatively correlated with energy intake and uncoupling protein 1 content in brown adipose tissue. Our results suggest that postweaning development in terms of body mass and thermogenesis is predominantly influenced by the postweaning photoperiod, while the preweaning photoperiod experience could chronically modify thermogenesis but not body mass. Furthermore, serum leptin, acting as a potential adipostatic signal, may be involved in the regulation of both energy intake and energy expenditure.
Lu
Qin
Q
State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
Zhong
Wen-Qin
WQ
Wang
De-Hua
DH
D002001:Adipose Tissue, Brown / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D003411:Arvicolinae / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D001823:Body Composition; D049628:Body Size; D003576:Electron Transport Complex IV / Q000378:metabolism; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000378:metabolism; D020738:Leptin / Q000097:blood / Q000502:physiology; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000378:metabolism; D024101:Mitochondrial Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D009929:Organ Size; D017440:Photoperiod; D022722:Thermogenesis / Q000502:physiology; D000071256:Uncoupling Protein 1; D014886:Weaning
D007473:Ion Channels; D020738:Leptin; D024101:Mitochondrial Proteins; D000071256:Uncoupling Protein 1; D003576:Electron Transport Complex IV