In
rodents it has been shown that serotonin (a naturally -
occurring chemical commonly associated with feelings of happiness) plays a role in maintaining calcium levels; based on this, a team
from the University of Wisconsin - Madison, led by Dr Laura Hernandez, investigated the potential for serotonin to increase calcium levels in both the milk and blood of dairy cows.
When that happens, the processes are reversed, and the
rodents emerge
from hibernation with a very healthy appetite and high energy, which are further stimulated by the increasing day lengths that
occur in late winter and spring.