Meeting Abstract
P2.149 Tuesday, Jan. 5 Preliminary analyses of blood serum to assess bone maintenance in wild woodchucks (Marmota monax) before and after hibernation DOHERTY, Alison R. H.*; ROBL, Nick J.; VINYARD, Christopher J.; Northeastern Ohio Universities Colleges of Medicine; Northeastern Ohio Universities Colleges of Medicine; Northeastern Ohio Universities Colleges of Medicine ahdoherty@gmail.com
Long periods of inactivity in most mammals result in significant bone loss that may not be completely recoverable during an individual’s lifetime regardless of changes in activity. Prolonged inactivity is the norm for hibernating animals, but it is largely unknown whether they suffer from adverse bone health after hibernation that affects their ultimate survival. We examined blood serum calcium and inorganic phosphate as indicators of bone metabolism before and after hibernation in a preliminary sample (n=18) of wild-caught woodchucks (M. monax) to test the hypothesis that these metabolites are altered with hibernation reflecting bone maintenance. Animals were live trapped in Ohio between April and October. Blood samples were collected from the external jugular vein and serum stored at 4˚C. Metabolite concentrations were read on a spectrophotometer within 7 days using Pointe Scientific calcium Arsenazo and inorganic phosphate liquid reagent kits. There was no significant difference in calcium levels pre- and post-hibernation (i.e., April-May versus Sept.-Oct.), however there was a significant increase in calcium levels during June and July compared to pre- and post-hibernation months (p < 0.001). Inorganic phosphorous did not change significantly between seasons. Based on the preliminary data from the two metabolites, we suggest that bone is not lost during hibernation in woodchucks, but that bone metabolism is increased during the summer. Ongoing analyses, aimed at quantifying other bone-specific serum concentration levels (including osteocalcin, calcitonin, leptin, and osteoprotegerin) will provide additional insights into the details of how woodchucks maintain bone during hibernation.
