The amount of PGE2 released by osteoblastic cells was greatest when the cells were treated with serum collected in the post-hibernation period (N=9). The amount of PGE2 released by osteoblastic cells was greatest when the cells were treated with serum collected in the post-hibernation period (N=9). P-values are for comparisons with the post-hibernation value. Pre-hibernation (N=8) and hibernation (N=7) values were not different from each other (P=0.48). Values are means ± s.e.m. Seth W. Donahue et al. J Exp Biol 2006;209:1630-1638 © The Company of Biologists Limited 2006