Here are some additional highlights from the 35th annual Ohio Physiological Society conference...
Elizabeth Evans (Graduate Student, University of Dayton), Dr. David Goldstein (Wright State University), and Dr. Carissa Krane (University of Dayton) presented research examining the effects of multiple freeze-thaw cycles on Cope’s Gray treefrogs (Dryophytes chrysoscelis). Yes, that’s right, I said freeze-thaw cycles. These freeze tolerant animals build up glycerol in their bodies to help survive seasonal conditions in which up to 65% of their body water freezes! While much research has focused on only one of these bouts, the effects of multiple freeze-thaw cycles has been largely ignored. After only three freeze-thaw cycles, the team discovered changes in how fast these animals recovered from each cycle as well as higher glycerol levels and breakdown of circulating red blood cells. Although, an indicator of tissue damage was not changed in these remarkable animals.
Graduate Student Yuan Li and her mentor Dr. Peter Piermarini from The Ohio State University presented research examining the role of Malpighian tubules (i.e. insect equivalent of a kidney) in controlling calcium balance in mosquitos (Aedes aegytpi). While I am strongly in favor of research that seeks to eradicate these insects, deep down I do appreciate research that aims to understand their physiology. By examining various doses of dietary calcium, they found that the Malpighian tubules are a major site of calcium balance, which is similar to other insects.
Source:
Ohio Physiological Society, a chapter of the American Physiological Society
Categories: Extreme Animals, Hibernation and Hypoxia, Nature's Solutions, Physiology on the Road
Tags: American Physiological Society, Calcium, Freeze tolerance, glycerol, mosquito, Ohio, Ohio Physiological Scoiety, winter
Life Lines by Dr. Dolittle 