English
Seasonal adjustment of energy budget in a large wild mammal, the Przewalski horse (Equus ferus przewalskii) II. Energy expenditure.
Abstract: Many large mammals show pronounced seasonal fluctuations of metabolic rate (MR). It has been argued, based on studies in ruminants, that this variation merely results from different levels of locomotor activity (LA), and heat increment of feeding (HI). However, a recent study in red deer (Cervus elaphus) identified a previously unknown mechanism in ungulates--nocturnal hypometabolism--that contributed significantly to reduced energy expenditure, mainly during late winter. The relative contribution of these different mechanisms to seasonal adjustments of MR is still unknown, however. Therefore, in the study presented here we quantified for the first time the independent contribution of thermoregulation, LA and HI to heart rate (f(H)) as a measure of MR in a free-roaming large ungulate, the Przewalski horse or Takhi (Equus ferus przewalskii Poljakow). f(H) varied periodically throughout the year with a twofold increase from a mean of 44 beats min(-1) during December and January to a spring peak of 89 beats min(-1) at the beginning of May. LA increased from 23% per day during December and January to a mean level of 53% per day during May, and declined again thereafter. Daily mean subcutaneous body temperature (T(s)) declined continuously during winter and reached a nadir at the beginning of April (annual range was 5.8 degrees C), well after the annual low of air temperature and LA. Lower T(s) during winter contributed considerably to the reduction in f(H). In addition to thermoregulation, f(H) was affected by reproduction, LA, HI and unexplained seasonal variation, presumably reflecting to some degree changes in organ mass. The observed phase relations of seasonal changes indicate that energy expenditure was not a consequence of energy uptake but is under endogenous control, preparing the organism well in advance of seasonal energetic demands.
Publication Date: 2006-11-03
PubMed ID: 17079726DOI: 10.1242/jeb.02536Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
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Summary
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This research studied the seasonal adjustments in energy expenditure of the Przewalski horse, a large wild mammal. The study noted significant fluctuations in metabolic rates, heart rates, and body temperature, and found that these changes aren’t a result of energy intake but are instead under endogenous control.
Metabolic Rate Fluctuation
- This study focuses on the understanding of the contributing factors to the seasonal adjustments in metabolic rate (MR) that are evident in large mammals. More specifically, the study involves the Przewalski horse.
- There’s a noted argument that variations in metabolic rate are a result of differences in locomotor activity (LA) and heat increment of feeding (HI).
- An opposing mechanism known as nocturnal hypometabolism, recently found in red deer, suggests a substantial decrease in energy expenditure mainly during late winter.
Thermoregulation, Locomotor Activity, and Heat Increment of Feeding
- The research focused on measuring the independent contributions of thermoregulation, LA, and HI on heart rate (f(H)), which served as an indicator of MR in the Przewalski horse.
- Results showed a twofold increase in f(H) from December and January to the beginning of May. LA also increased significantly from December to May, and declined thereafter.
- Interestingly, daily mean subcutaneous body temperature continuously declined during winter, reaching its lowest at the beginning of April. This decrease in body temperature significantly contributed to the reduction of f(H).
Findings and Implications
- Beyond thermoregulation, f(H) was also influenced by reproduction, LA, and HI. Unexplained seasonal variations also had some impact, potentially indicating changes in organ mass.
- Contrary to previous assertions, the study establishes that energy expenditure is not a result of energy uptake but is rather under endogenous control. This means that the organism prepares well in advance of the seasonal energy demands, thereby underscoring the role of a sort of internal or ‘endogenous’ biological clock in energy metabolism of these mammals.
Cite This Article
APA
Arnold W, Ruf T, Kuntz R.
(2006).
Seasonal adjustment of energy budget in a large wild mammal, the Przewalski horse (Equus ferus przewalskii) II. Energy expenditure.
J Exp Biol, 209(Pt 22), 4566-4573.
https://doi.org/10.1242/jeb.02536
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Research Institute of Wildlife Ecology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Savoyenstrasse 1, 1160 Vienna, Austria. walter.arnold@vu-wien.ac.at
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Animals, Wild / physiology
- Body Temperature
- Body Temperature Regulation
- Eating
- Energy Metabolism
- Female
- Heart Rate
- Horses / physiology
- Male
- Motor Activity
- Pregnancy
- Reproduction
- Seasons
Citations
This article has been cited 29 times.- Gasch K, Habe M, Krauss JS, Painer-Gigler J, Stalder G, Arnold W. The Influence of Photoperiod, Intake of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids, and Food Availability on Seasonal Acclimatization in Red Deer (Cervus elaphus).. Animals (Basel) 2023 May 10;13(10).
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- Pohlin F, Brabender K, Fluch G, Stalder G, Petit T, Walzer C. Seasonal Variations in Heart Rate Variability as an Indicator of Stress in Free-Ranging Pregnant Przewalski's Horses (E. ferus przewalskii) within the Hortobu00e1gy National Park in Hungary.. Front Physiol 2017;8:664.
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- Arnold W, Ruf T, Frey-Roos F, Bruns U. Diet-independent remodeling of cellular membranes precedes seasonally changing body temperature in a hibernator.. PLoS One 2011 Apr 13;6(4):e18641.
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