Brain Ca2+/Mg(2+)-ATPase activity and seasonal adaptation of the Djungarian dwarf hamster Phodopus sungorus.

1. Of three sets of Djungarian dwarf hamster, two groups were raised during winter under greatly differing circumstances. One winter group was raised within a climate controlled cage in which the ambient temperature was maintained at 22 degrees C and whereby conditions of light vs darkness were maintained in a constant 12 hr cycle. The second winter group was raised out of doors whereby the hamsters were subjected to prevailing seasonal environmental conditions. A third group was studied under summer conditions, as well. Ca(2+)-, Mg(2+)- and (Ca2+/Mg2+)-ATPase activity was analysed in cellular (= total homogenate) and subcellular fractions (P1-, synaptosomal fraction, synaptic membranes) from cortex, cerebellum and basal brain. 2. The data obtained indicate similar ATPase activity in the cortical homogenates of the winter indoor and summer hamsters. 3. Winter outdoor animals experiencing normal torpidity, however, exhibited reduced ATPase activity by about 50%. 4. Cortical subcellular fractions yielded different results: both the winter and the summer groups showed high ATPase activity in the synaptosomal and synaptic membrane fractions. 5. In the total cerebellar homogenate, the hamsters raised under summer and winter conditions showed the greatest enzyme activity, although less activity was seen in the subcellular fractions. 6. The ATPase activity in the basal brain was found to be nearly identical in all three hamster groups.