Changes in total body fat during daily torpor in deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus)

Abstract

We measured the changes in body mass and fat content in deer mice (Peromyscus manicidatus) during their daily torpor cycle (elicited by food-rationing) and during their daily non-torpor cycle (food provided ad lib.). Animals experiencing torpor had significantly lower body mass and fat content than animals not experiencing torpor, at all times measured. While daily torpor acts as a short-term emergency mechanism to allow increased survival during times of low availability of food, the reduction in metabolic rate and thus substrate catabolism during torpor does not completely compensate for reductions in intake of food.