Sustained energy intake in lactating Swiss mice: a dual modulation process

• DOI: 10.1242/jeb.157107
• Publication Date: 2017-04-11T00:10:30Z
• Authors: Jing Wen; Song Tan; Qing-Gang Qiao; Wei-Jia Fan; Yi-Xin Huang; Jing Cao; Jin-Song Liu; Zuo-Xin Wang; Zhi-Jun Zhao
• Keywords: Litter; Energy budget

Limits to sustained energy intake (SusEI) during lactation are important because they provide an upper boundary below which females must trade-off competing physiological activities. To date, SusEI is thought be limited either by the capacity of mammary glands produce milk (the peripheral limitation hypothesis), or a female's ability dissipate body heat dissipation hypothesis). In present study, we examined effects litter size and ambient temperature on set physiological, behavioral, morphological indicators reproductive performance in lactating Swiss mice. Our results indicate that input, output, gland mass increased with size, whereas pup survival rate decreased. The significantly, while food (18g/d at 21°C vs 10g/d 30°C), thermal conductance (lower 20-27% 30°C than 21°C), MEO decreased significantly raising large compared those 21°C. Furthermore, interaction between affected females' budget, imposing strong constraints SusEI. Together, out data suggest may caused both dissipation, i.e. limits dominant room temperature, but more significant warm temperatures. Further, level dependent, shifting down increasing temperature.