Hibernation, temperature and rates of oxidative phosphorylation by heart mitochondria

Abstract

The effect of temperature on rates of oxidative phosphorylation (pyruvate substrate) by heart mitochondria obtained from hibernating hamsters, control hamsters and rats was studied. Apparent energies of activation (Ea) determined between 5° and 24°C were, respectively, 20.4, 20.8 and 28.3 Kcal. for the rates of oxygen consumption and 20.6, 21.4 and 29.5 Kcal. for the rates of phosphorylation. The difference between the rats and either group of hamsters were significant statistically. The slope of the regression line fitted to the data obtained from hibernating animals did not differ significantly from that of the control hamsters. However, a parallel vertical displacement of the lines indicated a probable increase in these oxidative enzymes upon preparation for, or during, hibernation. No significant alterations in the efficiency of oxidative phosphorylation with variations in the incubation temperature were noted in any of the preparations.