Biomaterial Database

Aspects of temperature regulation in harp seal pups evaluated by in vivo experiments and computer simulations. 1978

N A Oritsland, and K Ronald

Temperature regulation in harp seal pups (Pagophilus groenlandicus) has been studied by in vivo measurements of oxygen consumption, body temperatures and in vitro determinations of the thermal values of a fur sample. The experimental animals were restrained and exposed to natural wheather conditions. Solar irradiance above 600 W/m (global radiation) caused hyperthermia. Computer simulations based on the thermal values of the fur indicated that heat dissipation from primarily the limbs is a prerequisite for avoiding hyperthermia under natural weather conditions. Further simulations showed that the lower critical temperature of a lean newborn harp seal pup with standard metabolism is only--1 degree C while it is depressed to--59 degree C as the pup grows, aquire a 10 cm thick layer of blubber and the metabolism increases to 1.5 times standard. High metabolism and tolerance to low deep body temperatures (35 degree C) seems a prerequisite for thermal balance in the harp seal pup under cold conditions.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D010872	Caniformia	Suborder of dog-like carnivores which include dogs, coyotes, skunks, mustelids, walruses, seals, bears, and procyonids.	Pinnipedia,Pinnipeds
D001831	Body Temperature	The measure of the level of heat of a human or animal.	Organ Temperature,Body Temperatures,Organ Temperatures,Temperature, Body,Temperature, Organ,Temperatures, Body,Temperatures, Organ
D001833	Body Temperature Regulation	The processes of heating and cooling that an organism uses to control its temperature.	Heat Loss,Thermoregulation,Regulation, Body Temperature,Temperature Regulation, Body,Body Temperature Regulations,Heat Losses,Loss, Heat,Losses, Heat,Regulations, Body Temperature,Temperature Regulations, Body,Thermoregulations
D002170	Canada	The largest country in North America, comprising 10 provinces and three territories. Its capital is Ottawa.
D003201	Computers	Programmable electronic devices designed to accept data, perform prescribed mathematical and logical operations at high speed, and display the results of these operations.	Calculators, Programmable,Computer Hardware,Computers, Digital,Hardware, Computer,Calculator, Programmable,Computer,Computer, Digital,Digital Computer,Digital Computers,Programmable Calculator,Programmable Calculators
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D000831	Animals, Newborn	Refers to animals in the period of time just after birth.	Animals, Neonatal,Animal, Neonatal,Animal, Newborn,Neonatal Animal,Neonatal Animals,Newborn Animal,Newborn Animals
D001481	Basal Metabolism	Metabolism (e.g., heat production) of an organism in an inactive, awake, fasting state. It may be determined directly by means of a calorimeter or indirectly by calculating the end products of oxidation within the organism or from the amount of oxygen utilized.	Metabolism, Basal,Basal Metabolic Rate,Metabolic Rate, Basal,Resting Metabolic Rate,Basal Metabolic Rates,Metabolic Rate, Resting,Rate, Basal Metabolic,Rate, Resting Metabolic,Resting Metabolic Rates
D013472	Sunlight	Irradiation directly from the sun.	Sunshine
D013696	Temperature	The property of objects that determines the direction of heat flow when they are placed in direct thermal contact. The temperature is the energy of microscopic motions (vibrational and translational) of the particles of atoms.	Temperatures