树麻雀代谢率和器官重量在温度驯化中表型的可塑性变化

为探讨温度对树麻雀基础代谢和代谢器官的表型可塑性变化,以人工气候箱驯养4周的光周期为12L:12D、温度为5℃(实验组)和25℃(对照组)的两组成年树麻雀为研究对象,测定其体重、基础代谢率(BMR)、体脂和水分含量以及各器官、组织的湿重和干重.结果实验组麻雀的BMR显著升高,体脂含量和水分含量以及体重均没有显著变化;肝脏重量和肾脏湿重显著增加,干重增加不显著;总消化管干重、小肠干重、直肠湿重和干重显著降低(P<0.01),胃湿重增加显著(P<0.05).由此提示:环境温度改变引起麻雀各器官结构和功能能力相应的可塑性的调整变化,器官能耗总量的增加很可能是引起BMR升高的主要原因,是麻雀器官能耗与功能能力、摄食量与消化率乃至个体适合度价与环境因素进行能量预算的结果.     

饥饿驯化对树麻雀消化道长度和重量的影响

鸟类消化系统的形态结构与能量摄入密切相关.本文以相同环境中进食量充足的树麻雀(Passer montanus)为对照组,与4种处于相同饥饿环境但不同饥饿天数(1D、3D、5D、7D组)树麻雀的各消化器官的长度及重量进行比较.结果显示,饥饿驯化各组树麻雀的体重和体脂含量均低于对照组;1D组树麻雀的消化器官胃、小肠、直肠长度显著增长,重量显著增加;3D、5D、7D组各消化器官的长度和重量表现出波动的变化趋势,摄食量的限制是胃干重没有发生显著变化的原因.结论是,摄能需求的不同引起树麻雀消化器官长度和重量发生显著变化,这种变化可对摄食量及消化吸收率产生直接的影响,同时这种适应性变化应当是快速、可逆和可重复的,是消化器官形态结构与功能能力及器官自身能耗之间能量预算的结果,也是个体与环境及适合度之间能量预算的结果.     

风速和持续时间对树麻雀能量收支的影响

风是自然环境中常见的因子之一,会对动物的行为以及能量收支产生不同程度的影响。为探讨不同风速和持续时间对树麻雀能量收支的影响,以3种风速(0.2-0.4、1.2-1.4、3.2-3.6 m/s)和3种持续时间(1、2、4 h)的9组树麻雀进行为期1周的不同风环境驯化,测定其体重、体温和摄食量、摄水量、排泄粪量、排泄次数、摄入能、排泄粪能、排出水热能散失、消化能、同化能并计算消化率和同化率。去除初体重影响和双因素分析的结果发现,摄水量(排出水量)和排出水热能散失随着风速增大而显著减少(P < 0.001);持续时间与树麻雀的摄入能、粪能和散热调节的次数显著相关(P < 0.01),其能量收支最高和散热调节次数最多为2 h,最低(少)为4 h;双因素交互作用对树麻雀能量收支的影响不显著。3级风速(4 m/s)和持续时间4 h以内的风环境不会对树麻雀的能量收支产生显著影响。     

树麻雀代谢率和器官重量在季节驯化中表型的可塑性变化

动物能量代谢的生理生态特征与物种的分布和丰富度密切相关,基础代谢率(BMR)是内温动物能量预算的重要组成部分。北温带的小型鸟类,通过增加产热来适应低温环境。增加BMR的基础之一是中心器官(代谢机器)发生明显的变化。本研究中我们测定了树麻雀(Passermontanus)的BMR、体重和各器官的重量,分析了麻雀各器官的季节性变化及与BMR的关系。方差分析表明:麻雀的BMR存在明显的季节性变化,在冬季和秋季较高。麻雀内部器官的变化同样有明显的季节性,冬季和秋季麻雀的肝脏、心脏、肌胃、小肠、直肠和整体消化道的重量,都有明显的增加。相关分析表明:麻雀的BMR与肝脏、心脏和消化道等内部器官存在明显的相关性。我们的结果验证了“中心限制假说”,即麻雀体内存在着与BMR相关的“代谢机器”,中心器官是提高麻雀BMR的基础之一。     

树麻雀血清甲状腺激素的季节性变化及其对产热调节的影响

对1～2月、3～4月、5～6月、7～8月、9～10月和11～12月自然环境条件下,黑龙江齐齐哈尔地区的树麻雀Passer montanus血清中甲状腺激素的含量进行了测定,同时对其代谢产热进行了测定.结果显示树麻雀血清T3浓度在季节性驯化中具显著性的变化,于温度较高的夏季最低,于温度较低的冬春季较高.与之相伴随,树麻雀的单位体重和整体代谢率于3～4月、5～6月和7～8月较低,于1～2月和11～12月最高,表明甲状腺激素可能参与了树麻雀的产热调节.     

温度和光周期驯化对树麻雀消化道形态特征和能量预算的影响

为探讨温度和光周期驯化对树麻雀消化道形态特征和能量预算的影响,以不同环境温度(5℃和25℃)、不同光周期(16L∶8D和8L∶16D)的4组树麻雀进行为期4周的人工气候箱驯化,并对驯化后的4组树麻雀消化道形态特征各指标以体质量为协变量,采用温度、光周期双因素协方差分析和组间进行单因素协方差分析及进行Tukey HSD比较。结果表明,温度降低或光周期缩短导致消化道长度极显著增加;反之,则缩短。温度显著影响消化道干组织质量;温度和光周期的交互作用对消化道净鲜质量和干组织质量的影响显著;总消化道和各器官的长度(直肠长度除外)、质量均存在明显的组间差异。可见,不同的温度或光周期可引起树麻雀消化道形态结构和功能能力相应的适应性变化,消化道各器官长度和质量的改变与其个体的摄能需求密切相关,消化道各器官功能能力和器官能耗之间高投资高收益的能量预算是个体适合度与环境压力之间能量预算的结果。     

食物质量差异对树麻雀能量预算和消化道形态特征的影响

为比较小型鸟类对不同食物的能量预算策略,本文对3组树麻雀(Passer monanus)进行2周的食物质量差异性驯化(Acclimation)。结果表明,相同和较低的生存压力下,树麻雀体重、体温、体脂含量和水分含量表现出显著的组间差异。高能食物组摄入能和可消化能增加极显著,消化率和同化率增加不显著,体内能量储备增加;低能食物组摄入能、可消化能、消化率和同化率降低极显著,体内能量储备消耗极显著。小肠和总消化道长度以及肝脏重量出现极显著的表型可塑性响应。体内能量储备增减的预算,能量摄入和能量转化器官的功能能力与自身能耗之间的预算,以及摄食低能食物时的节能预算都是树麻雀能量预算策略的重要组成部分。总之,树麻雀对不同含能食物采用不同的能量预算策略,器官水平的表型可塑性(phenotypic plasticity)响应是个体能值出现显著变化的基础,也是个体能量预算策略成功的关键。对不同食物采用不同的能量预算策略是树麻雀重要的生存对策。     

树麻雀肝脏和肌肉产热特征的季节性变化

北温带的小型鸟类,通过增加产热来适应低温环境.基础代谢率(BMR)是内温动物能量预算的重要组成部分.本研究中我们分别在冬季和夏季测定了树麻雀(Passer montanus)的BMR、肝脏和肌肉的线粒体蛋白含量、线粒体呼吸及细胞色素C氧化酶(COX)活力及血清中甲状腺激素(T4)及甲状腺原氨酸(T3)含量的变化.结果显示:树麻雀的体重和BMR冬季显著高于夏季;肝脏的线粒体呼吸、肝脏和肌肉的COX活力冬季较高,夏季较低;血清T3浓度冬季明显高于夏季.这些结果表明:在野外条件下,肝脏和肌肉在细胞水平产热能力的提高和血清T3含量的增加,是树麻雀抵御冬季寒冷的重要方式之一.     

光周期驯化对树麻雀性腺重量和基础能耗的影响

为探讨光周期对麻雀基础能耗和性腺重量的影响,对25℃和3种不同光周期的麻雀进行4周人工气候箱驯化后,分别比较了雌、雄麻雀的体重、个体BMR和性腺的鲜重和干重.结果显示,光周期作为繁殖的信号对麻雀性腺重量有极显著的影响.雄麻雀的体重、个体基础能耗和性腺重量的变化幅度比雌麻雀显著,繁殖初期的雄麻雀很可能要早于雌麻雀进入繁殖状态;随光周期的延长和性腺重量的增加,麻雀个体的基础能耗呈现递减趋势.总之,较低的生存压力和个体基础能耗的降低是麻雀繁殖的基础和前提.繁殖初期麻雀拥有相对较低的体重和个体BMR,这是麻雀个体的生存、繁殖与生存压力之间能量预算的结果,也是生存能耗和繁殖能耗与个体适合度之间进行能量预算的结果.     

光周期对白头鹎体重、器官重量和能量代谢的影响

光周期是四季环境变化的最直接表现因素之一,并影响动物的生理变化特征。为探讨光周期驯化对白头鹎(Pycnonotussinensis)体重、器官重量及能量代谢的影响,以室温28℃、不同光周期(16L∶8D,LD组和8L∶16D,SD组)对两组白头鹎进行为期4周的光周期驯化,测定其体重、各器官鲜重和干重、基础代谢率(BMR)和食物摄入能、排泄能及同化能并计算同化率。结果发现,SD组个体体重、内部器官(肝、小肠)重量、BMR及同化率相应显著高于LD组个体;短光照刺激白头鹎显著降低摄入能、排泄能及同化能。这些结果表明:光周期对白头鹎的体重、器官重量、BMR及能量收支有着一定影响,并且短光照较长光照更能引起白头鹎体重、器官重量及能量代谢的明显变化,同时验证了中心限制假说,即白头鹎BMR与中心器官代谢(肝、小肠等)具有相关性,中心器官是改变白头鹎BMR的主要原因之一。     

食物限制对黑线仓鼠能量代谢和产热的影响

为阐明动物应对食物短缺的能量学对策与其自身的代谢水平的关系,测定了不同限食程度下黑线仓鼠的体重、基础代谢率和非颤抖性产热。结果发现,限食使基础代谢率、非颤抖性产热、褐色脂肪组织细胞色素c氧化酶活性降低。90% 限食驯化4 周后,存活率为80% ,60% 限食驯化4 周后,存活率为30% 。低温驯化使黑线仓鼠基础代谢率和非颤抖性产热显著增加,使80% 限食动物的体重和存活率显著降低。高基础代谢率组的摄食量比低基础代谢率组多23.8% ,80% 限食后两组体重降低的幅度和存活率差异不显著。结果表明:高水平的代谢率使黑线仓鼠对食物资源短缺的敏感性增加;支持“代谢率转换假说”,符合“具有储食习性的动物对食物短缺的生理耐受性较低” 的预测。     

Seasonal acclimatization of metabolism in Eurasian tree sparrows (Passer montanus)

Acclimatization to winter conditions is an essential prerequisite for survival of small passerines of the northern temperate zone. Changes in photoperiod, ambient temperature and food availability trigger seasonal acclimatization in physiology and behavior of many birds. In the present study, seasonal adjustments in several physiological, hormonal, and biochemical markers were examined in wild-captured Eurasian tree sparrows (Passer montanus) from the Heilongjiang Province in China. In winter sparrows had higher body mass and basal metabolic rate (BMR). Consistently, the dry mass of liver, heart, gizzard, small intestine, large intestine and total digestive tract were higher in winter than in that in summer. The contents of mitochondrial protein in liver, and state-4 respiration and cytochrome c oxidase (COX) activity in liver and muscle increased significantly in winter. Circulating level of serum triiodothyronine (T₃) was significantly higher in winter than in summer. Together, these data suggest that tree sparrows mainly coped with cold by enhancing thermogenic capacities through increased organ masses and heightened activity of respiratory enzymes activities. The results support the view that prominent winter increases in BMR are manifestations of winter acclimatization in tree sparrows and that seasonal variation in metabolism in sparrows is similar to that in other small temperate-wintering birds.     

树麻雀代谢率和器官重量在光周期驯化中的变化

为探讨光周期对树麻雀代谢产热和代谢器官变化的影响,对成年树麻雀 Passer montanus 进行温度为25℃、两种光周期16 L:8 D(LD组)和8 L:16 D(SD组)4周的气候箱驯化后,测定其体重、基础代谢率(BMR)、体脂和水分含量,以及各器官、组织的鲜重和干重.结果 显示,SD组麻雀BMR显著大于LD组,作为代谢活性器官的消化道显著增生是其BMR显著增加的主要原因之一;麻雀通过增加体重和能量储备物脂肪来实现对较长黑暗环境的适应是其成功的生存策略.SD组麻雀体重的显著增加和水分含量显著降低,说明短光照的刺激引起麻雀能量储备的增加和代谢活性器官消化道增生.光周期驯化的结果验证了中心限制假说,即麻雀体内存在着与BMR相关的代谢机器,中心器官(消化道)是改变麻雀BMR的基础之一.     

东北地区黑线仓鼠的代谢产热特征及其体温调节

为探讨寒冷地区黑线仓鼠 (Cricetulusbarabensis)的代谢产热特征及体温调节 ,本文采用封闭式流体压力呼吸仪对其代谢率、热传导和体温等热生物学指标进行了测定。结果显示 :在环境温度为 5～ 35℃的范围内 ,黑线仓鼠的体温基本维持恒定 ,平均体温为 36 33± 0 2 3℃ ;热中性区为 2 5～ 32 5℃ ;基础代谢率为 3 4 9±0 36mlO2 / (g·h) ;环境温度 (Ta)在 5～ 2 5℃范围内 ,代谢率 (MR)与Ta 呈负相关 ,回归方程为 :MR [mlO2 / (g·h) ]=9 6 0 - 0 2 2Ta (℃ ) ,在此范围内 ,黑线仓鼠的热传导率 (C)最低 ,平均为 0 2 8± 0 0 1mlO2 /(g·h·℃ ) ;代谢预期比和热传导预期比 (F值 )为 1 6 8。黑线仓鼠的基本热生物学特征为 :较高的BMR和热传导率 ,相对较低的体温和较宽的热中性区。这些特征可能限制了其在极端寒冷和干旱环境中的分布和生存.     

Seasonal adjustments in body mass and thermogenesis in Mongolian gerbils (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Meriones unguiculatus</Emphasis>): the roles of short photoperiod and cold

Seasonal adjustments in body mass and thermogenesis are important for the survival of small mammals during acclimatization in the temperate zone. To determine the contributions of short photoperiod and cold temperatures to seasonal changes in thermogenesis and body mass in Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus), body mass, basal metabolic rate (BMR), nonshivering thermogenesis (NST), energy intake and energy digestibility were determined in seasonally acclimatized and laboratory acclimated animals. Body mass showed significant seasonal changes and decreased to a minimum in winter. Both BMR and NST increased in winter, and these changes were mimicked by exposing animals to short photoperiod or cold temperatures in the animal house. Digestible energy intake also increased significantly in winter, and also during exposure of housed animals to both short photoperiod and cold. These results suggest that Mongolian gerbils overcome winter thermoregulatory challenges by increasing energy intake and thermogenesis, and decreasing body mass to reduce total energy requirements. Short photoperiod and cold can serve as effective environmental cues during seasonal acclimatization.     

Seasonal variation in the metabolism-temperature relation of House Sparrows (Passer domesticus) in KwaZulu-Natal,South Africa

Many birds exhibit considerable phenotypic flexibility in metabolism to maintain thermoregulation or to conserve energy. This flexibility usually includes seasonal variation in metabolic rate. Seasonal changes in physiology and behavior of birds are considered to be a part of their adaptive strategy for survival and reproductive success. House Sparrows (Passer domesticus) are small passerines from Europe that have been successfully introduced to many parts of the world, and thus may be expected to exhibit high phenotypic flexibility in metabolic rate. Mass specific Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR) and Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) were significantly higher in winter compared with summer, although there was no significant difference between body mass in summer and winter. A similar, narrow thermal neutral zone (25–28 °C) was observed in both seasons. Winter elevation of metabolic rate in House Sparrows was presumably related to metabolic or morphological adjustments to meet the extra energy demands of cold winters. Overall, House Sparrows showed seasonal metabolic acclimatization similar to other temperate wintering passerines. The improved cold tolerance was associated with a significant increase in VO₂ in winter relative to summer. In addition, some summer birds died at 5 °C, whereas winter birds did not, further showing seasonal variation in cold tolerance. The increase in BMR of 120% in winter, compared to summer, is by far the highest recorded seasonal change so far in birds.     

Regulation of body weight and thermogenesis in seasonally acclimatized Brandt's voles (Microtus brandti)

Seasonal changes in an animal's morphology, physiology, and behavior are considered to be an adaptive strategy for survival and reproductive success. In the present study, we examined body weight and several behavioral, physiological, hormonal, and biochemical markers in seasonally acclimatized Brandt's voles (Microtus brandti) to test our hypothesis that Brandt's voles can decrease energy intake associated with decrease in body weight, body fat content, serum leptin level, and increasing thermogenesis in winter conditions. We found that the body weight of Brandt's voles was lowest in winter (December to February) and highest in spring and early summer (May to June). This seasonal variation in body weight was associated with changes in other markers examined. For example, the winter decrease in body weight was accompanied by increased energy intake and enhanced nonshivering thermogenesis (NST) as well as by decreased body fat mass and reduced levels of circulating leptin. Further, circulating levels of leptin were positively correlated with body weight and body fat mass, and negatively correlated with energy intake and uncoupling protein 1 contents. Together, these data do not support our hypothesis and suggest that leptin may be involved in this process and serve as a starvation signal in Brandt's voles.