Thermogenesis, energy intake and serum leptin in Apodemus chevrieri in Hengduan Mountains region during cold acclimation

Environmental factors play an important role in the seasonal adaptation of body mass and thermogenesis in small, wild mammals. The purpose of the present study was to test the hypothesis that ambient temperature was a cue to trigger the adjustments in body mass, energy intake, and serum leptin level in Apodemus chevrieri during 42 days of cold exposure. Our data demonstrated that cold acclimation induced a decrease in body mass and a significant increase in energy intake in A. chevrieri. Serum leptin levels were positively correlated with body mass and fat mass. These data suggest that A. chevrieri reduced the body mass and increased energy intake and thermogenic capacity under cold acclimation. Further, serum leptin appears to be involved in the energy intake regulation and thermoregulation.