Hibernation without Rest

Hibernation: the immune system at rest?

Mammalian hibernation consists of torpor phases when metabolism is severely depressed, and T(b) can reach as low as approximately -2°C, interrupted by euthermic arousal phases. Hibernation affects the function of the innate and the adaptive immune systems. Torpor drastically reduces numbers of all types of circulating leukocytes. In addition, other changes have been noted, such as lower complem...

Neuro-musculoskeletal interactions in bed rest, hibernation and stroke.

Hibernation

Hibernation (multiday torpor) and daily torpor in heterothermic mammals and birds are characterized by pronounced temporal reductions in body temperature, energy expenditure, water loss, and other physiological functions and are the most effective means for energy conservation available to endotherms. Hibernators express multiday torpor predominately throughout winter, which substantially enhan...

Hibernation: Endotherms

The main function of hibernation and daily torpor in heterothermic mammals and birds (i.e. species capable of expressing torpor) is to conserve energy and water and thus to survive during adverse environmental conditions or periods of food shortage no matter if they live in the arctic or the tropics. However, the reduced energy requirements also permit survival of bad weather during reproductio...

Hibernation: poikilotherms

Introduction For cold-blooded or poikilothermic animals, winter presents challenges to survival. Since the body temperature (Tb) of poikilotherms is usually very close to that of their surrounding environment, the risk of death from freezing is very real when temperatures drop below 0°C. Food is also scare during the winter and some animals also have limited mobility because the cold can make m...