Temporal response of neurons to ambient heating in the preoptic and septal area of the unanesthetized rabbit

The firing rates of single neurons were recorded in the septal and preoptic areas of unanesthetized rabbits during brief periods of ambient heating. The temporal response for neurons responsive to ambient temperature were calculated as the interval of time between the onset of heating and the point at which the unit's activity reached 63% (i.e. 1-1/e) of its total change in activity. Thirty-one neurons were isolated in 5 rabbits. Fourteen neurons were facilitated, 10 were inhibited and 7 were unaffected by heating. Temporal responses ranged from less than 5 to 122 s. We observed a bimodal relationship in the number of neuronal responses to ambient temperature vs temporal response: a sharp 0- to less than 10-s peak comprising 22% of all responses and a relatively broad peak with a mode of 60 to less than 70 s. These data resemble the temporal response patterns of thermally excitable neurons throughout the central nervous system.     

5-HT1A受体阻断剂对乙醇引起大鼠低体温和行为性体温调节反应的影响

目的：观察5-羟色胺1A （5-HT_1A）受体阻断剂p-MPPI对乙醇引起大鼠低体温和行为性体温调节反应的影响。方法：用无线遥控测温技术记录成年雄性SD大鼠体核温度和活动的变化。用无线遥测温度梯度仪监测大鼠体核温度和行为性体温调节活动,将大鼠置于15℃~40℃的温度梯度箱内,并允许动物自由选择箱内温度,观察乙醇（3 g/kg）引起低体温和行为性体温调节的反应以及5-HT_1A受体阻断剂p-MPPI （1 mg/kg）对其效应的影响。结果：①乙醇能引起大鼠快速的体温降低反应,同时动物选择较低的环境温度。②5-HT_1A受体阻断剂p-MPPI能明显阻断乙醇引起的低体温和行为性体温调节变化。结论：①乙醇能使体温调定点降低,因为乙醇引起低体温时,大鼠选择较冷环境温度区;②5-HT可能参与乙醇引起低体温与行为性体温调节活动。     

Thermoregulatory responses to thermal stimulation of the preoptic anterior hypothalamus in the red fox (Vulpes vulpes)

The preoptic anterior hypothalamus (POAH) thermoregulatory controller can be characterized by two types of control, an adjustable setpoint temperature and changing POAH thermal sensitivity. Setpoint temperatures for shivering (T_shiver) and panting (T_pant) both increased with decreasing ambient temperature (T_a), and decreased with increasing T_a. The POAH controller is twice as sensitive to heating as to cooling. Metabolic rate (MR) increased during both heating and cooling of the POAH. Resting temperature of the POAH was lower than internal body temperature (T_b) at all temperatures. This indicates the presence of some form of brain cooling mechanism. Decreased T_b during POAH heating was a result of increased heat dissipation, while higher T_b during POAH cooling was a result of increased heat production and reduced heat dissipation. The surface temperature responses indicated that foxes can actively control heat flow from body surface. Such control can be achieved by increased peripheral blood flow and vasodilation during POAH heating, and reduced peripheral blood flow and vasoconstriction during POAH cooling. The observed surface temperature changes indicated that the thermoregulatory vasomotor responses can occur within l min following POAH heating or cooling. Such a degree of regulation can be achieved only by central neural control. Only surface regions covered with relatively short fur are used for heat dissipation. These thermoregulatory effective surface areas account for approximately 33% of the total body surface area, and include the area of the face, dorsal head, nose, pinna, lower legs, and paws.     

Autonomic thermoregulatory effects of electrical stimulation of the hypothalamus in the sheep (Ovis aries)

1. 1.|The effects of electrical stimulation of the preoptic region, on autonomic thermoregulatory responses, were studied in conscious sheep at ambient temperatures of 5, 20, and 40°C.

2. 2.|Stimulation of the dorsal preoptic region elicited co-ordinated thermoregulatory responses characterized by increased respiratory frequency (RF), vasodilation of the ears and lowered body temperature. Stimulation inhibited shivering in cold environments.

3. 3.|The thermoregulatory responses were greater at 5°C in unshorn than in shorn sheep. Increased RF, induced at 20 and 40°C, persisted several minutes after stimulation ceased.

4. 4.|Intraventricular injection of noradrenaline reduced both normal and electrically-induced panting.

5. 5.|Sheep would press panels to electrically stimulate the preoptic region and this “self-stimulation” activated heat-loss mechanisms.

Effect of beta-endorphin on the thermal excitability of preoptic neurons in the unanesthetized rabbit

The opioid peptide, beta-endorphin (beta-E), will promote changes in body temperature when injected into the brain. It is possible that beta-E alters body temperature by affecting the activity of thermoregulatory neurons in the preoptic anterior hypothalamus (POAH). Single unit activity in the POAH was recorded in unanesthetized rabbits while radiant heat was applied to the dorsal skin. Beta-E was then microinjected into the POAH, and the peripheral heating was repeated. Seventy-seven percent of the POAH neurons were responsive to skin heating. Beta-E and equal excitatory and inhibitory effects on warm-excited and warm-inhibited neurons. Four of six warm-excited neurons were converted to warm-inhibited or unresponsive following beta-E injection. Six out of ten warm-inhibited neurons were converted to warm-excited or unresponsive by beta-E. Beta-E-induced shifts in thermal excitability of POAH neurons may be responsible for the ability of POAH injections of beta-E to elevate body temperature in the rabbit.     

Effect of ambient temperature on thermal sensitivity of POAH area in the rabbit

The POAH area of five conscious, male rabbits was heated with an electric thermode. The hypothalamic temperature threshold (ΔT_hy) for thermoregulatory reactions was determined at ambient temperatures of 12, 16, 20 and 24°C. The ΔT_hy for cutaneous vasolidation decreased with increasing ambient temperature. By contrast, the ΔT_hy for respiratory reaction was not dependent on ambient but only on hypothalamic temperature. After the start of hypothalamic heating, thermoregulatory reactions developed in the following characteristic order: vasodilation in the nose area, ear vasodilation and respiratory reaction. It is concluded that in order to increase heat loss rabbits first utilize cutaneous vasodilation. When this becomes insufficient, as indicated by an increase in hypothalamic temperature.     

氧化震颤素在精氨酸加压素引起大鼠低温中的作用与对行为性体温调节反应的影响

目的:研究氧化震颤素在精氨酸加压素(AVP)引起低温中的作用及其对行为性体温调节反应的影响。方法:无线遥控测温技术记录成年雌性SD大鼠体核温度(Tc)、棕色脂肪组织(BAT)温度和活动的变化。用无线遥测温度梯度仪记录大鼠行为性体温调节反应。分别观察AVP(10μg/kg)和氧化震颤素(0.25 mg/kg)对大鼠Tc、活动、BAT温度(TBAT)、理毛活动和行为性体温调节反应的影响。结果:AVP和氧化震颤素均能引起Tc和TBAT降低,理毛活动增加,引起低温反应的同时动物选择较低环境温度。氧化震颤素能使AVP引起的Tc和TBAT降低,以及理毛活动的增加更明显,并持续更长时间。注射氧化震颤素后立即注射AVP动物亦选择较低环境温度,但与AVP比较无明显差异。结论:AVP引起的低温与体温调定点下移、抑制BAT产热和增加理毛活动有关。氧化震颤素可能通过影响BAT产热和行为性体温调节参与外周给AVP引起的低温过程。     

Thermoregulatory responses to manipulations of photoperiod in wood mice Apodemus sylvaticus from high latitudes (57°N)

1. 1. The thermoregulatory responses to manipulations of photoperiod in wood mice (Apodemus sylvaticus), which were drawn from a population living at a high latitude (57°N) were studied.

2. 2. Mice captured in spring were acclimated to two different photoperiod regimes 16L:8D and 8L:16D at a constant ambient temperature of 24°C, for 3 weeks.

3. 3. Daily rhythms of body temperature, oxygen consumption and body temperature at various ambient temperatures, nonshivering thermogenesis (the response to a noradrenaline injection) and body mass were measured. Minimal overall thermal conductance was calculated for both groups.

4. 4. Acclimation to long photophase increased the thermoregulatory abilities at relatively high ambient temperatures while that of long-scotophase increased thermoregulatory abilities at low ambient temperatures.

5. 5. Changes in photoperiod may therefore be used as cues for seasonal acclimatization of thermoregulatory mechanisms in this population of wood mice.

     

Age-dependent core temperature responses of conscious rabbits to acute hypoxemia.

Experiments were carried out on chronically instrumented newborn and older rabbits to characterize their core temperature (T(c)) responses to acute hypoxemia and to differentiate "forced" vs. "regulated" thermoregulatory responses. Three age ranges of kits were studied: 4-6, 9-11, and 28-30 days of age. During an experiment, T(c), selected ambient temperature (T(a)), and oxygen consumption were measured from kits studied in a thermocline during a control period of normoxemia, an experimental period of normoxemia or hypoxemia (fraction of inspired oxygen 0.10), and a recovery period of normoxemia. We reasoned that no change or a decrease in T(a) while T(c) decreased during hypoxemia would indicate a regulated thermoregulatory response, whereas an increase in T(a) while T(c) decreased during hypoxemia would indicate a forced thermoregulatory response. T(c) decreased during acute hypoxemia in the older kits but not in the 4- to 6-day-old kits; the decrease in T(c) was accentuated on postnatal days 28-30 compared with postnatal days 9-11. T(a) decreased or stayed the same during exposure to acute hypoxemia. Our data provide evidence that postnatal maturation influences the T(c) response of rabbits to acute hypoxemia and that the decrease in T(c) during hypoxemia in the older kits results from a regulated thermoregulatory response.     

Hypothalamic mechanisms in thermoregulation

Certain preoptic and rostral hypothalamic neurons are sensitive to changes in local preoptic temperature (Tpo). These neurons also receive much afferent input from peripheral thermoreceptors and control a variety of thermoregulatory responses. In thermode-implanted animals, preoptic warming increases the firing rate in warm-sensitive neurons and elicits heat loss responses such as panting and sweating. Preoptic cooling increases the firing rate in cold-sensitive neurons and elicits, first, heat retention responses (e.g., cutaneous vasoconstriction and thermoregulatory behavior), then heat production responses (e.g., shivering and nonshivering thermogenesis). It is likely that the preoptic thermosensitive neurons control these thermoregulatory responses because both respond similarly to changes in Tpo and skin temperature. Specifically, skin warming not only increases panting, skin blood flow, and the firing rate of warm-sensitive neurons, but also decreases the sensitivity of all these responses to Tpo changes. Skin cooling not only increases metabolic heat production, heat retention behavior, and the firing rate of cold-sensitive neurons, but also increases the hypothalamic thermosensitivity of all these responses. Low-firing warm-sensitive neurons receive little afferent input and are most sensitive to high Tpo. Many of these low-firing neurons probably serve in controlling heat loss responses. High-firing warm-sensitive neurons receive much excitatory afferent input and are usually sensitive only to low Tpo. These neurons probably exert their greatest influence on heat production responses, possibly by inhibiting and, thus, determining the thermosensitive characteristics of nearby cold-sensitive neurons.     

Changes in cyclic AMP concentration of the rat preoptic region as a result of long term exposure to cold

The cAMP concentration in the preoptic region was studied in rats during exposure to low ambient temperature (Ta: -10 degrees C) and after return to control Ta (22 degrees C). With respect to control cAMP concentration, changes were observed consisting of a decrease (delta cAMP: 4.19 /+- 0.15 pM/mg Pr; p < 0.001) at low Ta and an increase (delta cAMP: 1.40 /+- 0.13 pM/mg Pr; P < 0.05) after return to control Ta. In contrast, cortical cAMP concentration decreased both at low Ta (delta cAMP: 2.94 /+- 0.09 pM/mg Pr; P < 0.005) and after return to control Ta (delta cAMP: 3.21 /+- 0.09 pM/mg Pr; P < 0.001). such cAMP changes in the preoptic region may be related to different activation levels of thermoregulatory and sleep mechanisms.     

Thermoregulatory responses of a hibernator to hypothalamic and ambient temperatures

Local cooling or heating of the hypothalamus of yellow bellied marmots elicited appropriate thermoregulatory responses to maintain body temperature. Increases in EMG, heart rate, and oxygen consumption were observed during hypothalamic cooling. Conversely, hypothalamic heating generally decreased thermogenic parameters toward minimal levels. Normothermic marmots retained thermoregulatory heat production throughout the year although loss of vasomotor regulation seemed to occur as they prepared for hibernation. The relationship between manipulated changes in hypothalamic temperature and induced changes in oxygen consumption was linear. This proportional relationship at one air temperature (15 °C) was parallel and displaced to the right of that relationship obtained at a lower air temperature (10 °C). These results are consistent with the hypothesis that hypothalamic regulation of body temperature in normothermic marmots is similar to that of nonhibernating mammals, although vasomotor regulation may differ.     

Thermal responses of the fresh water turtle Mauremys caspica to step-function changes in the ambient temperature

1. 1.|The turtle Mauremys caspica cools significantly faster than it heats in air. The heating/cooling ratio is 0.49.

2. 2.|The variation of body temperature in relation to time-course in response to a step-function change of environmental temperature, fitted to a second-order system improves that of a first-order system.

3. 3.|The gradient between ambient temperature (T_a) and equilibrium body temperature (T_b) increases significantly and progressively when ambient temperature rises over 25°C.

4. 4.|At 40°C thermoregulatory hyperventilation was detected, implying an increase in air convection requirement (ventilation relative to O₂ consumption, ).

Ambient thermal conditions and thermoregulatory mechanisms in fever in rabbits

At ambient temperatures 10 degrees C, 20 degrees C, 30 degrees C, and 40 degrees C the influence of heat dissipation on the thermoregulatory mechanisms in rabbits with fever was investigated. Temperature of the brain (TBr-accuracy +/- 0.05 degree C) temperature of the nasal mucosa (TN) and temperature of the ear pinna (TAU-accuracy +/- 0.5 degree C) were measured in freely moving rabbits. Changes of conditions of heat dissipation were produced by: preventing heat dissipation by convection and radiation by putting ear-pads on the ear pinnae, high humidity of air for blocking of heat loss through evaporation, and facilitation of heat dissipation through shearing of the fur. The changes of the ambient thermal conditions as well as of the ability of heat dissipation were followed by changes in the dynamics of functions of the remaining (effective) thermoregulatory mechanisms in the rabbits. Thus despite changed thermal conditions of the environment, the TBr of the rabbits with fever was stabilized at a similar level.     

Behavioural fever in the Senegalese grasshopper, Oedaleus senegalensis, and its implications for biological control using pathogens

1. Thermoregulatory behaviour of the Senegalese grasshopper, Oedaleus senegalensis (Krauss), was investigated in the field following a spray application of an oil-based formulation of Metarhizium flavoviride Gams and Rozsypal in Niger, West Africa.
2. Measurements of environmental temperature, wind speed and solar radiation were made in conjunction with measurements of internal body temperatures of grasshoppers from a control (unsprayed) and treated plot using microthermocouples and hand-held thermometers. Grasshoppers were monitored for 4 days from the third day after application.
3. Oedaleus senegalensis utilized a range of thermoregulatory behaviours to maximize body temperatures during periods of low insolation and ambient temperature, and to minimize excessive heat loading during the hottest periods. Preferred body temperature of uninfected grasshoppers was 39 °C, with a range from 24 °C in the early morning to a high of 46 °C during periods of high insolation and ambient temperature.
4. Infected grasshoppers altered their thermoregulatory behaviour and showed a behavioural fever response to the pathogen. Preferred body temperatures of infected individuals were raised to a new set point of ≈ 42 °C. This is believed to be the first evidence for a behavioural fever in response to a microbial infection for any natural population. In the present study, its effects appeared to provide little therapeutic advantage to hosts infected following application. Preliminary evidence from other studies, however, indicates that modifications to host thermoregulation could be a significant constraint to the pathogen and may limit its impact under certain conditions.     

Thyrotropin-releasing hormone action in the preoptic/anterior hypothalamus decreases thermoregulatory set point in ground squirrels.

Earlier work has shown that thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) produces dose-dependent decreases in body temperature (Tb) and metabolic rate when microinjected into the dorsal hippocampus (HPC) or preoptic/anterior hypothalamus (PO/AH) of awake ground squirrels. This study employed a behavioral paradigm to investigate the possibility that TRH-induced hypothermia is associated with a decrease in thermoregulatory set point. Six animals were successfully trained to press a bar for radiant heat escape and cool air reinforcement in order to obtain a cooler ambient temperature (Ta). During experimental testing, the animals were microinjected remotely with TRH (10-1000 ng/microliters) or a control solution (sterile saline or TRH-OH) into the PO/AH. The micro-injections were delivered via bilateral injection cannulae inserted through chronic bilateral cannula guides that had been stereotaxically implanted under pentobarbital anesthesia. Cumulative and time-integrated bar presses were obtained on a computer generated display. Tb, measured in the brain via a bead-type thermistor, and chamber Ta were recorded continuously. Following TRH administration, a significant increase in mean bar-press rate was observed during the period in which Tb was falling, when compared to a comparable time period just prior to the microinjection. These findings complement results obtained from four animals that were trained to press a bar for heat reinforcement in a cold (- 10 degrees C) environment. In this alternative behavioral paradigm, microinjection of TRH into the PO/AH or HPC induced a decrease in mean bar-press rate as Tb was falling. The results support the hypothesis that TRH-induced hypothermia in golden-mantled ground squirrels is achieved by lowering thermoregulatory set point.     

Thresholds of Response in Nest Thermoregulation by Worker Bumble Bees, Bombus bifarius nearcticus (Hymenoptera: Apidae)

Regulation of nest temperature is important to the fitness of eusocial insect colonies. To maintain appropriate conditions for the developing brood, workers must exhibit thermoregulatory responses to ambient temperature. Because nest-mate workers differ in task performance, thermoregulatory behavior provides an opportunity to test threshold of response models for the regulation of division of labor. We found that worker bumble bees ( Bombus bifarius nearcticus ) responded to changes in ambient temperature by altering their rates of performing two tasks – wing fanning and brood cell incubation. At the colony level, the rate of incubating decreased, and the rate of fanning increased, with increasing temperature. Changes in the number of workers performing these tasks were more important to the colony response than changes in workers' task performance rates. At the individual level, workers' lifetime rates of incubation and fanning were positively correlated, and most individuals did not specialize exclusively on either of these temperature-sensitive tasks. However, workers differed in the maximum temperature at which they incubated and in the minimum temperature at which they fanned. More individuals fanned at high and incubated at low temperatures. Most of the workers that began incubating at higher temperatures continued performing this task at lower temperatures, when additional nest-mates became active. The converse was true for fanning behavior. These data are consistent with a threshold of response model for thermoregulatory behavior of B. bifarius workers.     

Development of autonomic and behavioural thermoregulation in turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo)

1. 1.|Heat production (HP) and body temperature (T_b) measurements were conducted at ambient temperatures (T_a) between 10 and 40°C. In addition preference temperatures (PT) were determined in a temperature channel and T_b was measured at preferred T_a

2. 2.|The influence of age on T_b at constant, as well as at PT, was proved. Increasing age was accompanied by an elevation of T_b whereas HP remained constant in the mid-range of T_a

3. 3.|The lower T_b in the first days of life is suggested to result from a lower thermoregulatory set point during the postnatal period.

4. 4.|The PT were different for the observed types of behaviour. The PT at rest was higher than the PT during locomotion, food intake and drinking.

Comparison of the effector mechanisms during endotoxin fever in the adult rabbit.

In unanaesthetized adult rabbits an intravenous dose of E. coli endotoxin evoked a febrile rise in colonic temperature at ambient temperatures of 9 to 31 degrees C. The rise in colonic temperature and oxygen consumption did not depend on the ambient temperature, while, among the heat loss effectors, in warmer environments only the depression of respiratory heat loss and in cooler environments only ear skin vasoconstriction contributed to the febrile rise in colonic temperature. In moderately warm environments the endotoxin first induced a maximum inhibition of respiratory frequency and this was followed by vasoconstriction. Later, a transient rise in oxygen consumption occurred. During defervescence the timing of the effectors was reversed. The results showed that a febrile response is not necessarily characterized by simultaneous changes in the thermoregulatory effector mechanisms.     

Exogenous ghrelin attenuates endotoxin fever in rats

Ghrelin is a gut-derived peptide that plays a role in energy homeostasis. Recent studies have implicated ghrelin in systemic inflammation, showing increased plasma ghrelin levels after endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide, LPS) administration. The aims of this study were (1) to test the hypothesis that ghrelin administration affects LPS-induced fever; and (2) to assess the putative effects of ghrelin on plasma corticosterone secretion and preoptic region prostaglandin (PG) E₂ levels in euthermic and febrile rats. Rats were implanted with a temperature datalogger capsule in the peritoneal cavity to record body core temperature. One week later, they were challenged with LPS (50 μg/kg, intraperitoneal, i.p.) alone or combined with ghrelin (0.1 mg/kg, i.p.). In another group of rats, plasma corticosterone and preoptic region PGE₂ levels were measured 2 h after injections. In euthermic animals, systemic administration of ghrelin failed to elicit any thermoregulatory effect, and caused no significant changes in basal plasma corticosterone and preoptic region PGE₂ levels. LPS caused a typical febrile response, accompanied by increased plasma corticosterone and preoptic PGE₂ levels. When LPS administration was combined with ghrelin fever was attenuated, corticosterone secretion further increased, and the elevated preoptic PGE₂ levels were relatively reduced, but a correlation between these two variables (corticosterone and PGE₂) failed to exist. The present data add ghrelin to the neurochemical milieu controlling the immune/thermoregulatory system acting as an antipyretic molecule. Moreover, our findings also support the notion that ghrelin attenuates fever by means of a direct effect of the peptide reducing PGE₂ production in the preoptic region.