Mechanism of reproductive physiology under the condition of fasting and low metabolism - Hibernating bears as a model -

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26450455
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Integrative animal science
• Research Institution: Hokkaido University
• Principal Investigator: Tsubota Toshio 北海道大学, 獣医学研究科, 教授 (10207441)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: ツキノワグマ / 冬眠 / 心拍数 / 体温 / 妊娠 / 擬妊娠 / ロガー

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Heart rate (HR) and subcutaneous body temperature (BT) were being monitored by using data loggers (DST milli-HRT, Star:Oddi) for the measurement of HR and BT, which were implanted at the breast region, for about 6 months during winter season including pre-hibernation, hibernation and post-hibernation periods. In January, pregnancy diagnosis was done by using ultrasonography for these 5 bears. Notable findings were relationships between HR and BT in pregnant bears: both HR and BT during pre-hibernation period (delayed implantation period) changed with about 24 hours cycle, BT maintained relatively high and HR exhibited some spike during hibernation period (fetal development period) and both synchronized fluctuation with multi-day cycles during post-hibernation period (natal development period).

Free Research Field

野生動物医学