Fos-like immunoreactivity in Siberian hamster brain during initiation of torpor-like hypothermia induced by 2DG

Systemic 2-deoxy-d-glucose (2DG) produces pronounced torpor-like hypothermia (not < ∼ 15 °C) in the Siberian hamster. Siberian hamsters are heterothermic, naturally undergoing photoperiod-dependent torpor during winter-like photoperiods. Fos was used to identify neural structures activated during the initiation of torpor-like hypothermia induced by 2DG treatment. The Fos-like immunoreactivity (Fos-li) in the area postrema and nucleus of the solitary tract that predominantly characterizes other 2DG-induced responses was absent during 2DG-induced torpor in the present experiment. Fos-li was seen in a number of forebrain and hindbrain sites during entry into hypothermia, but the densest Fos-li was found in the parvocellular portion of the paraventricular nucleus. Fos-li in the medial nucleus of the amygdala and the dorsal lateral septum also distinguished 2DG-induced torpor from other 2DG-induced behaviors. The possible involvement of neuropeptide Y pathways during 2DG-induced expression of reversible hypothermia is discussed.