Neurodevelopmental Maturation of Circadian Temperature Fluctuations in Wildtype and Kcna1 KO Mice
Abstract number :
3.175
Submission category :
2. Translational Research / 2C. Biomarkers
Year :
2025
Submission ID :
884
Source :
www.aesnet.org
Presentation date :
12/8/2025 12:00:00 AM
Published date :
Authors :
Presenting Author: Arindam Ghosh Mazumder, PhD – Baylor College of Medicine
Jose Gadea, BS – Unified Information Devices
Nick Serrechia, BS – Unified Information Devices
Matt Ruiter, BS – Unified Information Devices
Vaishnav Krishnan, MD, PhD – Baylor College of Medicine
Rationale: Body temperature is a critical physiological parameter that affects (or is affected by) a host of biological processes. Circadian fluctuations in body temperature are coupled with circadian oscillations in activity and heart rate, but are less sensitive to acute environmental influences. Despite its relevance, continuous measurements of body temperature in rodent studies are often ignored because of the technical difficulties associated with repeated rectal probe-based techniques, thermal imaging and/or the invasiveness of large telemeter implants. In this study, we employed lightweight radiofrequency ID (RFID) chips to continuously measure body temperature (thermometry) in group-housed wild-type (WT) mice from early peri-weaning periods through to adulthood. To understand how these trajectories may be distorted by early seizure risk, we similarly obtained continuous thermometry recordings in mice with deletions of Kcna1, encoding the voltage-gated potassium channel alpha subunit, Kv1.1.
Methods: Continuous thermometry was achieved using the UID Mouse Matrix system. WT and littermate Kcna1KO mice were subcutaneously implanted with cylindrical RFID chips (2x13mm, weighing < 1gm) over the left thigh. Recordings were obtained from sex-matched group-housed mice beginning at postnatal day 20 (P20) or beyond. Cages were positioned over base plates containing 8 antenna zones, each recording chip ID, zone position and body temperature. Cage changes were conducted every 7-8 days, and any remaining mice were euthanized on P76. Body temperatures for each mice were sampled every minute, generating time series data from which we calculated cosinor variables (mesor and amplitude) as well as nonparametric endpoints (intradaily variability [IV] and interdaily stability [IS]).
Results: 44 WT mice (28 females) were examined. Between P20 and P76, we observed a ~1.5C decline in temperature mesor in male mice, while no such decline was seen in female mice. Both sexes demonstrated a ~0.3C increase in cosinor amplitude, which was more pronounced in females. Between P30 and P60, we observed an increase in IV (0.5 to 1.5) and an increase in IS (0.1 to 0.4), following which values remained asymptotically stable. A total of 8 KO mice (5 females) from P23 to P41 were concurrently examined. Prior to spontaneous demise, KO mice consistently displayed a relatively elevated temperature mesor that was ~0.6-0.8C higher than WT littermates.
Conclusions: In mice between P20 and P76, the amplitude of core body temperature fluctuations gradually increases, while mesor/mid-values decline considerably in male but not female mice. We also find that interdaily stability (IS) and rhythm fragmentation (IV) both increase with time. In the days/weeks prior to spontaneous seizure-related demise, Kv1.1 KO mice feature elevated body temperatures, which may reflect primary autonomic dysfunction or maybe secondary to hyperactivity. Our results confirm the feasibility of applying continuous thermometry as an objective tool to study neurodevelopmental trajectories in the maturation of physiological circadian rhythms.
Funding: VK is supported by NINDS R01NS13199.
Translational Research