[The effect of cold adaptation on total gaseous metabolism and tissue respiration in gerbils].

Short-term adaptation to cold (-17-19 degrees) results in evident changes of energy metabolism of gerbiles. In cold-adapted Meriones unguiculatus, tissue oxygen consumption increases in all the tissues investigated. In M. tamariscinus, respiratory rate increased only in the cardiac muscle, whereas that in other organs and muscles remained unaffected. In contrast to these two cold-resistant species, M. erythrourus is less resistant to cooling. In the latter case, no changes were observed in total and tissues respiration after cold adaptation of animals.