Adaptation of marmots [Adaptation des marmottes].

Résumé

When preparing for winter 1.5-1 months before hibernation and after intensive feeding healthy and most fattened sexually mature and two-year-old individuals remain in a state of stupor for 3-8 days. At this period the temperature of their body falls up to 12-24 ° C, and the reaction to external stimuli decreases. During the time between a homoiothermal phase and hibernation gonads of sexually mature individuals prepare for the next (spring) reproduction. In females the follicular apparatus begins activating that resulted in increasing the number of primordial follicles. In males the mass of testicles and epididymises begins growing, the number of seminiferous tubules and their diameter increase. During hibernation the body temperature falls up to 4-6° C, the breathing rate up to 4-5 breaths a minute, and breathing pauses make up one breath in 2-3 minutes. The pulse rate decreases up to 2-3 beats per minute. In winter 1-3 times a month the temperature of marmot’s body rises up to 22-24° C, and the animal goes to urinate the products of metabolism on “autopilot” (eyes and ears are closed with a black viscous mass, there are no reactions to external stimuli). During hibernation blood coagulability in animals sharply decreases. After recovering from hibernation and when body temperature of marmots rises up to 36° C blood coagulates normally.