Seasonal variations in the intermediate metabolism in South American tree-frog Boana pulchella

This study evaluated the main energy substrate levels and metabolism ofB. pulchella in plasma, liver and muscle of male individuals collected in winter, spring, summer and fall in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Our results showed thatB. pulchella has a higher glycolytic oxidation rate in liver (P = 0.0152) and muscle (P = 0.0003) and higher glycogenesis from glucose in muscle (P = 0.0002) in summer, indicating the main energy substrates in this season is glucose. The higher muscle glycogen (P = 0.0008) and lower plasma glucose in fall (P = 0.0134) may indicate an anticipatory regulation for storing to the most thermally demanding cold period: winter. These results indicated seasonal differences in the main energy substrates, and these metabolic changes among seasons can be part of a metabolic adjustment allowing maintenance of reproductive activity all year inBoana pulchella species.
Source: Journal of Comparative Physiology B: Biochemical, Systemic, and Environmental Physiology - Category: Physiology Source Type: research