Daily core body temperature rhythms in subterranean rodents (Ctenomys knigthi)

• Grant number: 10/50222-1
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: November 01, 2010
• End date: October 31, 2012
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Physiology - Compared Physiology
• Principal Investigator: Gisele Akemi Oda
• Grantee: Gisele Akemi Oda
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências (IB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Both endothermic/homeothermic and ectothermic vertebrate species present daily core body temperature rhythms. In endotherms, these rhythms represent daily variations of temperature set-points which are homeostatically defended through thermoregulatory centers. Core body temperature rhythms are endogenous and circadian (with periods around 24h). They persist under constant lighting and environmental temperature conditions, indicating control by an internal circadian oscillator. The aim of this project is the characterization of temperature rhythms in subterranean rodents Ctenomys knighti, which live in habitats that are poorly exposed to daily light and temperature environmental cycles. The project is centered on the investigation of whether the same circadian oscillator which controls activity/rest rhythms are the pacemakers of temperature rhythms, in this species. In mammals, the circadian oscillator is located in the suprachiasmatic nuclei of the hypothalamus, orquestrating circadian rhythmicity through both neural and humoral pathways. Our aim is to explore the multiple oscillator composition of the suprachiasmatic nuclei. Two neuronal subpopulations within the nuclei are known to control beginning and end of activity and are associated with photoperiod (duration of darkphase/lightphase) processing and control of seasonal variation of activity duration. We are going to verify whether these same populations control temperature rhythms, exploring the fact that our wild animal species present rare propensity for "splitting" phenomena, which serve as basis of the two-oscillator model of the suprachiasmatic nuclei. (AU)

Scientific publications

(5)

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

TACHINARDI, PATRICIA; WILKEN BICUDO, JOSE EDUARDO; ODA, GISELE AKEMI; SANDRA VALENTINUZZI, VERONICA. Rhythmic 24 h Variation of Core Body Temperature and Locomotor Activity in a Subterranean Rodent (Ctenomys aff. knighti), the Tuco-Tuco. PLoS One, v. 9, n. 1, JAN 15 2014. (10/50222-1, 12/15767-2, 10/03565-0)

TOMOTANI‚ B.M.; FLORES‚ D.E.F.L.; TACHINARDI‚ P.; PALIZA‚ J.D.; ODA‚ G.A.; VALENTINUZZI‚ V.S.. Field and laboratory studies provide insights into the meaning of day-time activity in a subterranean rodent (Ctenomys aff. Knighti)‚ the tuco-tuco. PLoS One, v. 7, n. 5, p. e37918, 2012. (10/50222-1)

TOMOTANI, BARBARA MIZUMO; AMAYA, JUAN PABLO; ODA, GISELE AKEMI; VALENTINUZZI, VERONICA SANDRA. Social modulation of the daily activity rhythm in a solitary subterranean rodent, the tuco-tuco (Ctenomys sp). SLEEP SCIENCE, v. 9, n. 4, p. 5-pg., 2016-10-01. (10/50222-1)

TOMOTANI, BARBARA MIZUMO; AMAYA, JUAN PABLO; ODA, GISELE AKEMI; VALENTINUZZI, VERONICA SANDRA. Social modulation of the daily activity rhythm in a solitary subterranean rodent, the tuco-tuco (Ctenomys sp). SLEEP SCIENCE, v. 9, n. 4, SI, p. 280-284, OCT-DEC 2016. (10/50222-1)

FLORES, DANILO E. F. L.; TOMOTANI, BARBARA M.; TACHINARDI, PATRICIA; ODA, GISELE A.; VALENTINUZZI, VERONICA S.. Modeling Natural Photic Entrainment in a Subterranean Rodent (Ctenomys aff. knighti), the Tuco-Tuco. PLoS One, v. 8, n. 7, JUL 10 2013. (10/50222-1)