Hibernation and Torpor in Mammals and Birds

Hibernation and Torpor in Mammals and Birds explores the physiological factors that control hibernation and torpor in birds and mammals. This text covers topics ranging from metabolism in hibernation to the role of endocrines, respiration and acid-base state in hibernation, and theories of hibernation. This book is comprised of 14 chapters and begins with an overview of some clear-cut definitions and why mammals and birds hibernate. The reader is then introduced to the variations from euthermia that have been observed among birds and mammals. To give some structure to this listing, the approach is phylogenetic, starting with the birds and proceeding through the primitive to the more advanced mammals. Subsequent chapters explains the process of entering hibernation and the hibernating state, itself; capability of a species in natural hibernation to arouse from that state using self-generated heat; physiological changes at the start of a spontaneous arousal; and physiological mechanisms underlying the ability of hibernators to rewarm. Consideration is also given to intermediary metabolism in hibernation, cold adaptation of metabolism in hibernators, and the response of hibernators to various extrinsic influences such as neoplastic growth, radiation injury, and parasitism and symbionts. This book will be of interest to students and researchers in fields ranging from zoology to physiology and biophysics.

Preface 1. Why Bother to Hibernate? References2. Who is Who among the Hibernators Birds Mammals References 3. Entering Hibernation References 4. The Hibernating State References 5. Sensitivity to Arousal References 6. The Mystery of the Periodic Arousal The Emergency Emergence The Deep-but Not Unbroken-Sleep References 7. Mechanisms of Arousal References 8. Intermediary Metabolism in Hibernation Temporal Changes in Intermediary Metabolism Temporal Relations of Metabolism within the Short Cycle of Hibernation References 9. Is There Cold Adaptation of Metabolism in Hibernators? Management of ATP at Low Temperature in Mammalian Tissues Effect of Temperature on Metabolic Rate References 10. Hibernation: Some Intrinsic Factors References 11. Hibernation: Responses to External Challenges References 12. Hibernation and the Endocrines Introduction Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal Interactions in Hibernation Role of Brain Monoamines on Control of Endocrine Functions and Thermoregulation Pituitary Gland Thyroid Parafollicular (C) Cells of Thyroid and Parathyroids Endocrine Pancreas Pineal Gonads Adrenal Gland Perspectives References 13. Respiration and Acid-Base State in Hibernation Studies on Deep Hibernation Transient States: Entrance and Arousal Environmental Respiratory Conditions and Hibernation Discussion: Respiration and the Physiology of Hibernation References 14. Recent Theories of Hibernation ReferencesIndex