Effect of Hibernation on Oxidative and Antioxidant Events under Laboratory Conditions in Anatolian Ground Squirrel, Spermophilus xanthoprymnus (Bennett, 1835) (Mammalia: Sciuridae) from Central Anatolia

The oxidative stress is an integral part of the metabolic depression machinery associated with hibernation, estimations and tolerance to freezing, dehydration, hypoxia and anoxia In the present study, we aim to investigate the role of hibernation on lipid peroxidation, nitric oxide production and glutathione levels in various tissues of Anatolian Ground Squirrel Spermophilus xanthoprymnus. A total of 9 female ground squirrels were collected from different localities in Nigde, Bolkar Mountains, Turkey. All squirrels were in three different conditions: at hibernation, aroused and non-hibernation stage. They were sacrificed under anesthesia. Glutathione (GSH), reactive nitrogen oxide species (NOx) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were measured spectrophotometrically. GSH levels of almost all tissues were lower in the hibernating group compared with the aroused group. NOx levels were found to decrease in all tissues except the brain tissue examined on hibernating group compared to non-hibernating group. MDA levels were found to increase in brain, lungs and heart tissues examined on hibernating group compared to nonhibernating group. In conclusion, our data show that an impaired balance exists between oxidative stress and antioxidant systems in most organs and tissues during hibernation.