Hibernation

CHIPMUNKS

Some General Facts About

Hibernation
Hibernation is mainly controlled by the endocrine system. Glands in the body
alter the amounts of hormones being released and can control just about
every physiological aspect of hibernation.
Thyroid - gland that controls metabolism and activity levels
Melatonin - hormone that controls the growth of winter coats
Pituitary - gland that controls fat buildup, heart rate and breathing rate, as
well as metabolic functions
Insulin - hormone that regulates the amount of glucose (sugar) needed by the
animal
Animals body temperature will vary depending on the temperature around
it. However, there is a minimum temperature, known as a set point. When
the mammal's body temperature reaches the set point, the metabolism kicks
in and burns some fat reserves. This generates some energy.

Chipmunks
When chipmunks hibernate, their metabolism
decreases to one-fiftieth of what it is when they are
active, and their body temperature drops to 5C
(41F). They look as if they have frozen to death.
However, by observing inside the chipmunks body,
you can see that it is alive.
Perhaps most compelling, hibernation seems to
enhance tolerance to disease; muscles and bones do
not degenerate, and the brain continues to function
despite low intake of oxygen and nutrients. Dr. Kondo
believes that hibernation may even be a time when
tissues are being repaired.

Chipmunks
The hibernation mechanism based
on Dr. Kondos research: A
circannual rhythm generator
transmits a signal to different parts
of the body, including the liver and
the brain, to trigger hibernation.
While the HP complex is
downregulated in the liver, its
transport to the choroid plexus in
the brain is upregulated. The HP
complex is activated in the brain
and transforms into a hibernation
hormone.

Chipmunks
But what triggers hibernation? Is it a biological clock? Is it temperature? Studying chipmunks, Dr. Kondo discovered it
is the hibernation-specific protein (HP) complex, a combination of four proteins produced in the liver. When a chipmunk
is active, HP complex circulates throughout its body in the bloodstream. During hibernation, the level of HP complex
decreases in the blood and increases in the brain. Dr. Kondo believes that the HP complex may function like a hormone
to regulate the body so it can endure low temperatures during hibernation.
The chipmunk settles down in its nest of grasses and leaves and curls up into a ball with its fur fluffed up. The following
body changes occur:
Its heart beat drops from 350 to 4 beats per minute.
Its body temperature drops from 37C to 3 C.
All its body's processes slow down. That way its body food stores are enough to allow it to survive the winter. If the
animal were active it would soon burn of its body food stores and with the lack of food outside it would quickly die.
At the end of winter the chipmunk weighs only 160 grams. It was 300 grams before hibernation.
During the six months of its hibernation it wakes up every fifteen days to urinate.
Hibernation is not always a successful way of passing winter. It has been estimated that two-thirds of the ground
squirrels in North America die during hibernation. They die because their body runs out of food reserves or because a
predator such as a fox finds them while they are asleep. This is why an animal which is hibernating should never be
disturbed. If it wakes up it will lose valuable energy reserves.