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Effect of Environmental Air Temperature and Composition on the Development of the Norway Rat (Rattus Norvegicus)

Jill A. Villarreal

出版	Indiana University, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, 2006
URL	http://books.google.com.hk/books?id=FVgeAQAAMAAJ&hl=&source=gbs_api

註釋

In the wild, Norway rats successfully reproduce in climates ranging from the arctic to the tropics. The offspring are born and reared in burrows that offer limited protection from the surface environmental temperature and generally have elevated carbon dioxide concentrations. Because the young are born with little insulation, poor motor coordination, and immature thermal and respiratory regulatory abilities, the air properties of the postnatal environment present considerable thermal and respiratory challenges for rat neonates. Yet, little was known about if, when, and how the air temperature and composition of the postnatal environment affects the development of the young. Therefore, the effect of these factors on the morphological, physiological, and behavioral development of rat pups was examined. Environmental air temperature (cool 17°C, moderate 25°C, and warm 33°C) affected the development of body mass, hair coat mass, tail length, body length, ear length, and hind foot length, as well as food consumption, metabolic rate, and thermal preference. Environmental air composition (0% CO2 and 5% CO2) affected body mass, body length, air composition preference, and blood pH. These results indicate that despite their relative immaturity rat young detect and respond to environmental air factors.