Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT) Practice Exam

Newborn __________ do not have brown fat and are therefore highly susceptible to hypothermia.

1. Pigs

2. Kittens

3. Puppies

4. Lambs

The correct answer is: Pigs

Newborn pigs are particularly vulnerable to hypothermia because they are born without brown fat, which is a specialized type of fat that helps generate heat during cold exposure. Brown fat is crucial for thermoregulation in many mammals, especially in species that are born in cooler environments or are exposed to cold shortly after birth. Unlike other species, such as kittens, puppies, and lambs, which have some degree of brown fat or alternative mechanisms to help maintain their body temperature, newborn pigs lack this vital resource. As a result, they are at high risk for hypothermia and require careful management of their thermal environment to ensure their survival and health in the early stages of life.