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Nonshivering Thermogenesis in a Marsupial (the Tasmanian Bettong Bettongia gaimardi) Is Not Attributable to Brown Adipose Tissue

journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-16, 11:58 authored by Rose, RW, Adrian WestAdrian West, Ye, JM, Graeme McCormackGraeme McCormack, Colquhoun, EQ
The Tasmanian bettong (Bettongia gaimardi, a marsupial) is a rat-kangaroo that increases nonshivering thermogenesis (NST) in response to norepinephrine (NE). This study attempted to assess whether brown adipose tissue (BAT), a specialized thermogenic effector, is involved in NST in the bettong. Regulatory NST, indicated by resting oxygen consumption (Vo2) of the whole body, was measured under conscious conditions at 20°C with various stimuli: cold (4°-5°C) or warm (25°C) acclimation, NE injection, and the β-adrenoceptor agonist (BRL) 37344. In line with the functional studies in vivo, the presence of BAT was evaluated by examining the expression of the uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) with both rat cDNA and oligonucleotide probes. Both NE and BRL 37344 significantly stimulated NST in the bettong. After cold acclimation of the animals (at 4°-5°C for 2 wk), the resting Vo2 was increased by 15% and the thermogenic effect of NE was enhanced; warm-acclimated animals showed a slightly depressed response. However, no expression of UCP1 was detected in bettongs either before or after cold exposure (2 wk). These data suggest that the observed NST in the marsupial bettong is not attributable to BAT.

History

Publication title

Physiological and Biochemical Zoology

Volume

72

Issue

6

Pagination

699-704

ISSN

1522-2152

Department/School

School of Natural Sciences

Publisher

University of Chicago Press

Place of publication

Chicago, USA

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Expanding knowledge in the environmental sciences

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