Energy allocation shifts from sperm production to self-maintenance at low temperatures in male bats.

ABSTRACT: The ability of animals to produce endogenous heat provides a buffer against environmental changes but also incurs high energetic costs. Especially small endothermic mammals have high energy demands. Some temperate-zone species (heterotherms) regularly use torpor, which slows down their entire metabolism but also potentially delays reproduction, to compensate for this. We used a unique experimental approach to test the consequences of extended low and high ambient temperatures on the trade-off in energy allocation to body mass maintenance, thermoregulation effort and seasonal sexual maturation in temperate zone male bats. We showed that long exposure to low ambient temperature shifts energy allocation away from sexual maturation to self-maintenance and results in a delay of sperm maturation

SUBMITTER: Komar E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8826387 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature