Effects of Cold Acclimation on Maximum Oxygen Consumption during Cold Exposure and Treadmill Exercise in Deer Mice, Peromyscus maniculatus

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Abstract
We examined the effects of cold acclimation (∼ 3 mo at 3 C) on maximum oxygen consumption ( ) during exercise and thermogenesis in deer mice, Peromyscus maniculatus. Three genetic lines of mice were used, each containing animals of three different hemoglobin genotypes. Before acclimation, exercise was significantly higher than thermogenic (0.172 vs. 0.156 ml O₂/[g · min], respectively). Significant differences were also observed among genetic lines, but not among hemoglobin genotypes. Following cold acclimation, both exercise and thermogenic increased significantly (to 0.187 and 0.204 ml OȈ/[g · min], respectively). However, the change was significantly greater for cold exposure (31%) than for exercise (9%). Again, significant differences were observed among genetic lines but not among hemoglobin genotypes. Cold acclimation may induce changes in systemic oxygen transport (suggested by increased exercise in cold-acclimated animals). However, factors in addition to systemic oxygen transport capability are involved in determining during exercise and thermogenesis.

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