Rump rat without irritation

2008/01/31 Lakar Iraizoz, Oihane - Elhuyar Zientzia

• Biokimika
• Zoologia

The African nude mole mouse (Heterocephalus glaber) is a truly curious animal: it is a cold blood mammal, which has its body at the same temperature as the environment (it is not capable of producing heat), with a very high life expectancy of about 25 years, lives in colonies of more than 300 specimens and has a hierarchical social organization, such as bees or termites. Now, researchers from Chicago Thomas Park and Gary Lewin from Germany have found another particularity of the animal: don't feel all kinds of pain.

It is capable of feeling pain caused mechanically (when chinear or pinch), but not of chemical origin. For example, capsaicin, a substance that damages the pepper, does not cause a burning sensation when you come into contact with the skin. Most animals, on the other hand, feel pain in such a situation. It also does not hurt to contact the acids.

Researchers have found that this unique molo contains noizeptors (receptors that perceive the feeling of pain) that react with capsaicin and send signs of pain. But the animal does not feel pain. Apparently, these signs are "lost" in the way or provoke a feeling that is not painful.

Photo:

Kathryn Marchetti/UIC Photo Services