ROLE OF NA+, K+-ATPase IN MUSCULAR ENERGY EXPENDITURE OF WARM- AND COLD-EXPOSED SHEEP
The role of Na+, K+-ATPase in the energy expenditure of sheep skeletal muscle and the influence of exposure to cold on this role were studied. An in vitro preparation of muscle was developed that achieved O2 availability and a functional membrane potential. A 10−6 M concentration of ouabain yielded a maximum inhibition of respiration of 38.9 ± 1.8% using muscle preparations from a random group of sheep. Whole body and muscle O2 consumptions and ouabain-sensitive muscle respiration were measured for warm- and cold-exposed sheep fed at maintenance or 1150 g of alfalfa pellets per day. Cold exposure increased whole body and muscle O2 consumption. Inhibition of respiration by ouabain was 37.6 ± 1.2% and 41.0 ± 3.6% for warm- and cold-exposed sheep fed at maintenance, and 28.5 ± 4.0% and 45.0 ± 4.0% for warm- and cold-exposed sheep fed 1150 g of alfalfa pellets per day. The increase in the ouabain-sensitive component of respiration accounted for 48–79% of the increased O2 consumption of muscle from cold-exposed sheep. It was concluded that the Na+, K+-ATPase of sheep muscle is a major means of energy expenditure and has an important role in the increased thermogenesis resulting from cold exposure. Key words: Skeletal muscle, Energy expenditure, muscle respiration, cold thermogenesis, sodium-potassium transport