Research Interests: |
The physiological states of hibernation and daily torpor are characterized by profound readjustments in the metabolic status of the individual. The reduced metabolic state
maintained during hibernation and torpor represents a controlled physiological and biochemical status. Dr. Pivorun's primary areas of research deal with the
neuromodulation of torpor. Computerized radiotelemetry, in conjunction with HPLC, RIA, water-perfused thermodes and intracerebral cannulation is used to determine the
influence of the brain monoamines, neuropeptides, and melatonin on torpor. Investigations in this laboratory have examined six topics: 1) the effects of intracerebral delivery of norepinephrine, bombesin and serotonin on thermoregulation in the ground squirrel and the deermouse; 2) the functional integrity of the pre-optic/anterior hypothalamic thermoregulatory centers during daily torpor and hibernation; 3) the role of the endorphins in neuromodulation of daily torpor and feeding; 4) the role of the pineal gland and melatonin in hibernation; 5) the metabolic and body temperature rhythms occurring during torpor and 6) changes in levels of biogenic amenes in discrete areas of the brain during the various stages of torpor and hibernation.
Current interests center on (1) the role of neuropeptides and neuroendocines in modulating the physiological state of daily torpor and (2) the population dynamics of small mammals in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
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Selected Publications: |
Pivorun, E. and A. Nordone. 1996. Brain Synaptosomes Display a Diadenosine Tetraphosphate (Ap4A) Mediated Ca2+ Influx Distinct from ATP Mediated Influx. J.
Neurosci. Res. 44:478-489.
Nordone, A.J. and Pivorun, E. 1995. Cytosolic calcium responses to extracellular adeosine 5',5'''-Pl, P4-tetraphosphate in PC12 cells. Pharm. Biochem. Behav. 52
(1):85-91.
Hulihan, B., Pivorun, E. and D. Goldman. 1993. Diurnal Rhythms of 5-HT1A and 5-HT2 Receptors Binding in Euthermic and Torpor Prone Deermice, Peromyscus
maniculatus. Pharm. Biochem. Behav. 45:785-789.
Hulihan, B., Park, .Y., Pivorun, E. and D. Goldman. 1993. Regional Analysis of 5-HT1A receptors in two species of Peromyscus. Pharm. Biochem. Behav. 45:143-145.
Edwards, M. and E. Pivorun. 1991. The effects of photoperiod and different dosages of melatonin on metamorphic rate and weight gain in Xenopus laevis tadpoles. Gen. Comp. Endocrin. 81:28-38.
Lin, L. and E. Pivorun. 1989. Hypothalamic monoamines and their metabolites in the deermouse. Peromyscus maniculatus during daily torpor. J. Neural Transmission
79:11-18.
Lin, L. and E. Pivorun. 1989. Analysis of monoamines and their metabolites in the hypothalamus, suprachiasmatic nucleus and the pineal gland of euthermic and torpid
deermice, Peromyscus maniculatus. In: Living in the Cold II. Ed. A. Malan and B. Canguilhem. Colloque INSERM/John Libbey Eurotext Ltd. pp. 63-72.
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