Physiological Mammalogy V2

Physiological Mammalogy, Volume II: Mammalian Reactions to Stressful Environments deals with natural mammalian populations and their adaptations to stressful environments. The book explores the physiology and morphology of reproduction and development; water metabolism; and hibernation. This volume is organized into three chapters and begins with a discussion of aspects of reproduction and embryology that are purely mammalian, emphasizing the mammalian reproductive organs and the evolutionary trends in such organs. The next chapter focuses on water balance in desert rodents. Inasmuch as reproduction is considerably affected by the environment, it also can be considered a process modified by environmental stresses. The final chapter examines hibernation as a mechanism for mammals to avoid periods of unfavorable environment. This chapter also describes the poikilothermic state of mammalian populations during hibernation, along with the consequences of reduced metabolic rate during hibernation. Experimental animal biologists and those who work with mammals will find this book invaluable.

List of Contributors Preface Introduction Chapter 1 Reproduction and Development Introduction I. Evolutionary Changes in the Organs of Reproduction II. Anatomy of the Organs of Reproduction III. Physiology of the Organs of Reproduction IV. Implantation and Placentation V. Development, Gestation, and Birth VI. Some Factors That Influence the Number of Young Produced VII. Lactation VIII. Secondary Sexual Characters IX. Information That May Be Obtained from Field Studies References Chapter 2 Water Metabolism of Mammals I. Introduction II. Free Water Intake, by Drinking and in Food III. Absorption of Water IV. Oxidation Water V. Insensible Water Loss VI. Homoiothermism and Water Metabolism VII. Urine Water Loss VIII. Fecal Water Loss IX. Body and Tissue Water Contents X. Dehydration XI. Water Balance and Biological Processes References Chapter 3 Hibernation I. Definition of Hibernation II. True Hibernation III. Awake Hibernators during Summer IV. The Behavior of Hibernators in Autumn V. Analytical Study of Climatic Factors That Induce Hibernation VI. Entering into Hibernation and Awakening of Hibernators VII. The Physiological Mechanism of Hibernation. Artificial Hibernation VIII. Hibernating Mammals IX. General Conclusions References Author Index Subject Index