Mineral metabolism and microcirculation in the hibernating hamster

Abstract

Mineral metabolism and certain circulatory phenomena, all of which are thought to be influenced by the steroid hormones of the adrenal cortex, were studied in hibernating, cold stressed, and normal hamsters. Hibernation was induced by prolonged exposure to a temperature of 6°C. Chronic cold stress resulted from exposure of hamsters to the same conditions which induced hibernation, but for a shorter time. Acute cold stress was brought about by surrounding the body of the test animals with a copper coil through which ice water was pumped. Body temperature was measured by means of a thermistor type thermometer with the sensing probe inserted deep into the cheek pouch.