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Identification of a lipid-rich depot in the orbital cavity of the thirteen-lined ground squirrel

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ABSTRACT We discovered a previously undescribed orbital lipid depot in the thirteen-lined ground squirrel during the first ever magnetic resonance image (MRI) of this common experimental model of mammalian hibernation.… Click to show full abstract

ABSTRACT We discovered a previously undescribed orbital lipid depot in the thirteen-lined ground squirrel during the first ever magnetic resonance image (MRI) of this common experimental model of mammalian hibernation. In animals housed at constant ambient temperatures (5°C or 25°C, 12 h:12 h light:dark photoperiod), the volume of this depot increased in the autumn and decreased in the spring, suggesting an endogenous circannual pattern. Water-fat MRI revealed that throughout the year this depot is composed of ∼40% lipid, similar to brown adipose tissue (BAT). During arousal from torpor, thermal images showed higher surface temperatures near this depot before the rest of the head warmed, suggesting a thermoregulatory function. This depot, however, does not contain uncoupling protein 1, a BAT biomarker, or uncoupling protein 3. Histology shows blood vessels in close proximity to each other, suggesting it may serve as a vascular rete, perhaps to preferentially warm the eye and brain during arousals. Highlighted Article: Through physiological and biochemical analysis, a previously undescribed orbital lipid depot discovered in the thirteen-lined ground squirrel is hypothesized to be a vascular rete.

Keywords: lined ground; ground squirrel; thirteen lined; depot

Journal Title: Journal of Experimental Biology
Year Published: 2019

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