Accelerated reproductive development in juvenile male ground squirrels fed a high-fat diet

Abstract

Male golden-mantled ground squirrels held at 23 degrees C were fed high-fat (HF) or standard (chow) diets. In December, ambient temperature was reduced to 6 degrees C, food was removed, and frequency and duration of torpor bouts were monitored continuously by radiotelemetry. Reproductive condition and body composition were assessed upon terminal arousal in the spring. Juvenile males fed the HF diet weighed more than chow-fed controls before and throughout the hibernation season and had significantly greater lipid masses at terminal arousal. Testes masses and plasma testosterone concentrations were substantially higher in HF than in chow-fed juveniles. The accelerated reproductive development of fatter squirrels was not contingent upon increases in the total number of days spent in torpor, number of torpor bouts, or the average duration of each arousal from torpor. Access to the HF diet had no effect on body mass, adiposity, or reproductive status of adult male ground squirrels in spring. Threshold levels of white adipose tissue and associated differences in availability of metabolic fuels may be permissive for testicular growth during the hibernation season. Juveniles exceed this threshold only when fed the HF diet.