Metabolomic Insights into Energy Utilization Strategies of Asiatic Toads (Bufo gargarizans) During Hibernation
Key Laboratory of Southwest China Wildlife Resources Conservation (Ministry of Education), China West Normal University, Nanchong 637009, China
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Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Animals 2025, 15(3), 403; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15030403
Submission received: 7 January 2025
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Revised: 29 January 2025
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Accepted: 30 January 2025
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Published: 31 January 2025
(This article belongs to the Section Animal Physiology)
Simple Summary
Hibernation is a critical survival strategy that enables amphibians to endure extreme environmental conditions by dramatically reducing their metabolic rate. In this study, we investigated the metabolic changes in Asiatic toads (Bufo gargarizans) during hibernation. Through comprehensive analysis of their blood chemistry, we found that most metabolic processes were significantly reduced, indicating an overall decrease in activity. Notably, while pathways involving amino acids and carbohydrates were downregulated, lipid metabolism demonstrated a unique response. The increased β-oxidation of fatty acids—such as palmitoleic acid, arachidonic acid, and sodium caprylate—indicates a metabolic shift towards lipid-based energy utilization. This adjustment enables the toads to sustain themselves without food intake for prolonged periods. This research contributes to a broader understanding of how amphibians efficiently manage energy resources under stress, highlighting the intricate balance of the biological processes that support life in challenging environments.
Abstract
Hibernation is a crucial adaptive strategy for amphibians, facilitating survival in harsh environmental conditions by lowering metabolic rates and reducing energy use. This study employed GC-MS and LC-MS metabolomics to systematically analyze the serum metabolome of Bufo gargarizans during hibernation, aiming to uncover its metabolic adaptation mechanisms. A total of 136 differentially expressed metabolites (DEMs) were identified, of which 115 were downregulated and 21 upregulated, mainly involved in amino acid, carbohydrate, and lipid metabolism. KEGG pathway analysis showed that most metabolic pathways were inhibited in the hibernating group, underscoring a significant reduction in overall metabolic activity. Notably, while amino acid and carbohydrate metabolism were significantly reduced, lipid metabolism exhibited a distinctive adaptive response. Enhanced β-oxidation of fatty acids, including palmitoleic acid, arachidonic acid, and sodium caprylate, suggests a metabolic shift toward lipid-based energy utilization. The reduction in key metabolites like fumaric acid and succinic acid in the TCA cycle further supports the hypothesis of reduced energy requirements. These results enhance our current understanding of amphibian hibernation metabolisms and provide a targeted approach for future mechanistic investigations.
Keywords:
hibernation; metabolomics; Bufo gargarizans; TCA cycle; energy conservation
