Sydney, June 30 (Inditop.com) When it comes to hibernation, the burrowing frog is the champion among vertebrates. It can survive without food or water for several years buried in the mud. But how does the species accomplish this feat?
A team from the University of Queensland (UQ) has discovered that a radical change in their metabolism during hibernation permits these frogs to maximize the potential of their limited energy resources without ever running on empty.
This discovery could have far reaching medical applications. “It could potentially be useful in the treatment of energy-related disorders such as obesity,” explains Sara Kayes of the UQ.
When the operation efficiency of the mitochondria, the cell’s tiny “power plants”, was measured during the dormancy period, it was found to be significantly higher compared to that observed in active animals.
This trick, known as mitochondrial coupling, allows these frogs to be extremely efficient in the use of the limited energy stores they have, by increasing the total amount of energy obtained per unit consumed.
The process allows them to easily outperform other species whose energy production efficiency remains essentially the same even when they happen to be inactive for extended periods, said a UQ release.
These findings were presented at the Society of Experimental Biology annual meeting in Glasgow (UK) on Monday.
