Qin Lu

Publications (2)4.37 Total impact

• Article: Effects of photoperiod history on body mass and energy metabolism in Brandt's voles (Lasiopodomys brandtii).

  Qin Lu, Wen-Qin Zhong, De-Hua Wang
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  ABSTRACT: Many small mammals respond to seasonal changes in photoperiod via alterations in morphology, physiology and behaviour. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that the preweaning (from embryo to weaning) photoperiod experience can affect subsequent development in terms of body mass and thermogenesis. Brandt's voles (Lasiopodomys brandtii) were gestated and reared to weaning under either a short (SD, 8 h:16 h L:D) or a long photoperiod (LD, 16 h:8 h L:D) at a constant ambient temperature (23 degrees C). At weaning, male juveniles were either maintained in their initial photoperiod or transferred to the alternative photoperiod for 8 weeks. Postweaning SD voles had a lower body mass but higher thermogenic capacity compared with LD voles. At the same time, preweaning photoperiod conditions had long-lasting effects on thermogenic capacity later in life. Serum leptin concentration was positively correlated with body mass and body fat mass, whereas it was negatively correlated with energy intake and uncoupling protein 1 content in brown adipose tissue. Our results suggest that postweaning development in terms of body mass and thermogenesis is predominantly influenced by the postweaning photoperiod, while the preweaning photoperiod experience could chronically modify thermogenesis but not body mass. Furthermore, serum leptin, acting as a potential adipostatic signal, may be involved in the regulation of both energy intake and energy expenditure.
  Journal of Experimental Biology 12/2007; 210(Pt 21):3838-47. · 3.00 Impact Factor
• Article: Individual variation and repeatability of the aerobic performance in Brandt's voles (Lasiopodomys brandtii)

  Qin Lu, Wen-Qin Zhong, De-Hua Wang
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  ABSTRACT: Metabolism is thought to play an important role in shaping behaviour, ecology and physiology in animals. To study the changes of metabolism among different ages or generations as well as the repeatability during the ontogeny, we carried out the research in Brandt's voles (Lasiopodomys brandtii), which covered two generations’ life. Meanwhile, we estimated the among-family variations to facilitate the heritability evaluation. Resting metabolic rate within the thermoneutral zone, resting metabolic rate at 5 °C, non-shivering thermogenesis and maximal metabolic rate during thermogenesis in both juveniles and adults were simultaneously measured. Population-average values of aerobic traits were generally consistent among different ages or generations; however, there was no repeatability at the level of individual variation during the ontogeny, which indicated that the aerobic traits of the young were not good indicators for that of later life. At the same time, the coefficient of intraclass correlation for full sibs failed to reach statistical significance, suggesting that heritability of aerobic traits in Brandt's voles was not high.
  Journal of Thermal Biology 32:413-420. · 1.37 Impact Factor