Artificial hibernation in the woodchucks (Arctomys monax) [Hibernation artificielle chez les marmottes américaines (A. monax)].

Résumé

When a woodchuck is given an amount of insulin sufficient to produce profond hypoglycemia, it loses its power of temperature control. If it then be placed in an environment even moderately cool, it passes into a state of artificial hibernation. The characteristics presented by an animal in this condition are: 1) the woodchuck becomes poikilothermic, 2) it is unable to shiver or execute spontaneous movements, 3) consciousness is lost, and the animal is insensible to painful stimulation, 4) the convulsions associated with insulin hypoglycemia do not occur, 5) the metabolic rate is greatly decreased. The state of torpor thus induced can be prolonged by the administration of insulin at intervals. The injection of glucose terminates this condition. Shivering begins almost immediately, the temperature rises at a rapid, though variable, rate, and the animal returns to normal.