Brown adipose tissue plays thermoregulatory role within the thermoneutral zone in Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus).

Brown adipose tissue (BAT) plays an important role in thermoregulation and many metabolic processes in small mammals, especially in cold adaptation. However, in warm adaptation, ambient temperature cannot directly activate BAT by sympathetic nervous system. Mongolian gerbils exhibit a wider thermoneutral zone (26.

Thyroid hormones mediate metabolic rate and oxidative, anti-oxidative balance at different temperatures in Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus).

Oxidative damage is a potential physiological cost of thermoregulation during seasonal adjustments to air temperature (T) in small mammals. Here, we hypothesized that T affects serum thyroid hormone levels and these hormones can mediate the changes in metabolic rate and oxidative damage. Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus) were acclimated at different Ts (5 °C, 23 °C and 37 °C) for 3 weeks.