User:Vle27/Thirteen-lined ground squirrel

Physiology
Thirteen-lined ground squirrels can survive in hibernation for over six months without food or water and special physiological adaptations allow them to do so. During torpor, these squirrels maintain hydration by redistributing and storing osmolytes like sodium, glucose, and blood urea nitrogen in different body compartments (to be identified). When they enter a transient active-like state, small periods of arousal where these squirrels return to an active-like state temporarily, osmolarity and antidiuretic hormone levels rise while thirst remains suppressed. Thirteen-lined ground squirrels also suppress the cell cycle and control the expression of cell cycle regulators in the liver during hibernation to conserve energy. During their active-like state, they are able to resume their cell cycle.

''' Moreover, they are able to maintain their contractile performance hibernation. Although scientist had determined there is a change in the muscle mass during their torpor, the change is not significant to change their contractile properties . During hibernation, thirteen-lined ground squirrel prioritize the muscle tissue for maintenance and potential regrowth, increase their antioxidant capacity to protect the intracellular during the torpor, and mobilize fatty acid for fuel instead glycogen content (which they keep constant during hibernation) .'''

''' Moreover, they are able to maintain their muscle contractile performance during hibernation. Although scientists determined that there is a reduction in the squirrels’ muscle mass during torpor, this does not significantly change the muscles’ contractile properties [6]. During hibernation, thirteen-lined ground squirrels prioritize skeletal muscle tissue for maintenance and potential regrowth [6]. They also increase their muscle antioxidant capacity during torpor to protect tissue from oxidative damage associated with the restoration of blood flow during the transition period from torpor to arousal [8]. During hibernation, they mobilize fatty acids for fuel instead of glycogen, which is kept constant during hibernation [7].'''