Seasonal Changes in Basal Metabolic Rate and Serum Free Fatty Acid in the Antarctic Environment

• Published in: JAPANESE JOURNAL OF BIOMETEOROLOGY Vol. 19; no. 1; pp. 59 - 69
• Main Authors: SUGAWARA, Kazuo, MACHIDA, Kazuhiko, SHIMAOKA, Akira, KUMAE, Takashi, MISHIMA, Masao
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Japanese
• Published: Japanese Society of Biometeorology 15.04.1982
• ISSN: 0389-1313; 1347-7617
• DOI: 10.11227/seikisho1966.19.59

The seasonal changes in BMR and FFA during the wintering at Showa Base in Antarctica were observed in the subjects who exposed themselves to the severe cold on the way to the base, trapped in fast ice some 6 weeks. 1. With the exception of BMR lowered in July (winter) and BMR heightened in Februay (autumn), fluctuations in BMR were not recognized through the other months of the years. 2. The drop in BMR observed in July (winter) was attributed to the decreased physical activity in June when there was continuous daytime darkness and the longer time under controlled room temperature (18°C) . 3, The elevation of BMR in February (autumn) was attributed to the most vigorous physical activity and exposure to atmospheric temperature of -10°C-0°C, because of the concentrated activities immediately before the termination of the wintering. 4. A marked trend was not detected for the seasonal changes in FFA. FFA concentration was elevated to the mean level of 816.7 μEq/l throughout the whole period. 5. The relationship between FFA and BMR was such that BMR tended to be increasing with elevated FFA ; however, the individ ual behaviors of the two exhibited a significant negative correlation. 6. The correlation was negative betwee BMR and RQ. They behaved in the similar ways within each individual and exhibited also a negative correlation. 7. The negative correlation between FFA and RQ indicated that the subjects with elevated FFA had lowered RQ. Significant correlation, however, was not recognized among the individuals.