Abstract

Hibernation is a unique phenotype displayed by a phylogenetically diverse group of organisms including several species of mammals and one species of primate. Here we review evidence for blood and tissue borne signaling molecules in hibernating animals, achievements in isolating and characterizing these molecules, and potential medicinal applications.

Keywords: Heterothermic, Cytoprotective, Tolerance, Hibernation induction trigger, Endogenous factors, Metabolic suppression, Suspended animation, Plasma factors