Cold Acclimation in the Tundra Vole

Two groups of tundra voles (Microtus oeconomus gilmorei S e t z e r, 1952) were exposed both to control temperature (17°C) and the cold (4°C). Some physiological parameters involved in adaptation to the cold, such as cold diuresis, food, consumption, weight loss, urinary pH, Na and K were studied. Cold diuresis was found, stabilizing on a certain level after a few days, the same was found for the food consumption. The animals lost weight during the first two weeks of cold exposure, and then began to recover until they reached their original weight again. Badano kilka parametrow fizjologicznych, takich jak: pobieranie pokarmu, utrate ciezaru ciala, wydalenie moczu, jego pH oraz poziom Na i K u dwu grup nornika polnocnego trzymanych w temperaturze 17°C (kontrola) i 4°C. Pod wplywem chlodu wydzielanie moczu wzrasta nadmiernie, lecz po kilku dniach ustala sie na pewnym poziomie (Ryc. 1), tak samo jak i konsumpcja pokarmu (Ryc. 6). Zwierzeta tracily na wadze przez początkowe dwa tygodnie ekspozycji w 4°C, a nastepnie stopniowo zwiekszaly swoj ciezar, az do osiągniecia poczatkowej wartości (Ryc. 5).