X-Message-Number: 13958
Date: Fri, 16 Jun 2000 05:19:20 -0700 (PDT)
From: Doug Skrecky <>
Subject: a different type of life extension

Title
  Freeze avoidance in a mammal: body temperatures below 0 degree C in an
  Arctic hibernator.
Source
  Science.  244(4912):1593-5, 1989 Jun 30.
Abstract
  Hibernating arctic ground squirrels, Spermophilus parryii,
  were able to adopt and spontaneously arouse from core body temperatures as
  low as -2.9 degrees C without freezing. Abdominal body temperatures of ground
  squirrels hibernating in outdoor burrows were recorded with
  temperature-sensitive radiotransmitter implants. Body temperatures and soil
  temperatures at hibernaculum depth reached average minima during February of
  -1.9 degrees and -6 degrees C, respectively. Laboratory-housed ground
  squirrels hibernating in ambient temperatures of -4.3 degrees C maintained
  above 0 degree C thoracic temperatures but decreased colonic temperatures to
  as low as -1.3 degrees C. Plasma sampled from animals with below 0 degree C
  body temperatures had normal solute concentrations and showed no evidence of
  containing antifreeze molecules.

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