Comparison of regional blood distribution in Eptesicus fuscus (big brown bat) during torpor (summer), hibernation (winter), and arousal
- 1 February 1975
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Canadian Science Publishing in Canadian Journal of Zoology
- Vol. 53 (2) , 207-214
- https://doi.org/10.1139/z75-025
Abstract
Regional distribution of blood was determined using 86Rb in torpid (summer), hibernating (winter), and arousing big brown bats, Eptesicus fuscus. Heart rates, estimated from electrocardiograms, served as an index of arousal.Measured differences in circulation include higher fractions of the cardiac output being delivered to the myocardium and kidneys of bats in torpor during the summer as compared with those in hibernation during the winter. This suggests a relatively greater work load of the heart and a higher rate of kidney function in bats at low temperatures in summer.Arousal from hibernation in winter (ambient temperature (Ta) = 5 C) requires less time than does arousal from torpor (Ta = 5 C) in summer. Heart rates increase more rapidly and shifts in regional circulation occur at a faster rate during arousal from hibernation. This is related to seasonal differences in amounts of brown fat, the major source of metabolic heat for initiation of rewarming in these bats.Keywords
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