Age‐depending effects of narcosis and transmitter implantation on circadian body temperature and activity rhythms in mice

Summary

The effects of narcosis and of telemetry transmitter implantation on core temperature and locomotor activity were investigated in female laboratory mice of various age (3, 15 and 52 weeks old). Following surgery a transient hypothermia was observed. The body temperatures measured 30 min after beginning of narcosis were lower in juvenile and in presenile mice (29.6° ±0.8°C resp. 30.0° ±0.2°C) than in adult animals (31.9° ±0.3°C). The following temperature increase was fastest in juvenile mice. Normal body temperature was reached after 6h 20’ already. Adult and presenile mice needed 8h 30’ resp. 7h 30’. The temperature increase seemed to be independent from activity behaviour of the animals. No substantial differences could be obtained whether the transmitters had room or body temperature before implantation and whether the animals were warmed after surgery by an infrared bulb or not. Probably, the temperature increase depended mainly on the elimination rate of the drug.

Normal circadian core temperature and activity rhythms reappeared on average within 5–6 days in juvenile mice and a little faster in adult (4–5 days) as well as in presenile ones (3–4 days). However, interindividual differences in recovery time were more pronounced than age‐dependent variations.

Circadian core temperature and activity patterns were quite similar in all three age classes investigated. Ontogenetic differences concern, besides changes in daily mean values, mainly a temperature amplitude increasing with age, as well as a high percentage of ultradian components in the activity pattern of juvenile mice compared to older ones.

Telemetry systems are widely used for long‐term measurements of core temperature in laboratory animals (Clement et al., 1989; Refinetti and Menaker, 1992). In our investigations of ontogenetic changes of the circadian temperature and activity rhythms in mice we used an integrated telemetry and data acquisition system (Dataquest, Data Sciences Inc., USA). It comprises implantable wireless transmitters, telemetry receivers, a consolidation matrix and a data acquisition system. The aim of a preliminary study was to analyse the effects of narcosis and transmitter implantation. The time required to recover normal values of body temperature and of locomotor activity as well as normal circadian rhythms was determined, considering also ontogenetic variations.     

手术植入虚假超声波发射器对草鱼的影响

分别于2010年10-12月、2010年11月-2011年10月研究了手术植入虚假超声波发射器对草鱼的短期和长期影响.结果表明： 手术植入超声波发射器在术后30 d内对草鱼的生长具有明显的负面影响,30 d后这种负面影响逐渐消失;1尾草鱼及2尾草鱼分别在60 d及360 d研究周期内死亡,死亡率分别为4.2%及6.7%;术后30 d草鱼切口均已愈合,术后360 d,所有草鱼缝线均已脱落;2尾草鱼及1尾草鱼分别在60 d及360 d研究周期内通过未愈合的切口排出发射器,发射器排出率分别为8.7%及3.3%;保留在草鱼腹腔内的发射器都被自然包裹在纤维囊中,且与肠道、体壁及内脏存在多重粘连.手术植入超声波发射器应用于草鱼的超声波遥测技术是可行的,但草鱼在术后应至少暂养30 d以便切口愈合及生长恢复.     

Intraperitoneal versus subcutaneous telemetry devices in young Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus)

Radiotelemetry has become a very popular biotelemetric tool for measuring physiological parameters such as heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature and muscle activity, as well as general behavioural activity in undisturbed, freely moving animals. In most studies using this technique, adult subjects are used. However, sometimes an ontogenetic approach is required to clarify whether changes in one parameter are preceeded or followed by changes in another parameter. Tracking physiological changes in young, developing individuals could explain given states of these animals as adults. Implanting telemetry devices can be done subcutaneously and intraperitoneally, the former method posing less of a challenge on the animal and its recovery from surgery. Because telemetry will be used in weanling gerbils during subsequent studies, we needed to investigate whether subcutaneous implantation of telemetric devices is preferable to intraperitoneal surgery with respect to animal welfare. This is a technical paper describing anaesthetic and surgical techniques in detail during a pre-trial involving subcutaneous (n=10, aged 21-29 days) and intraperitoneal (n=10, aged 19-34 days) implantation of dummy telemetry transmitters (1.9 cm3, 3.6 g after shortening of leads) in weanling gerbils, Meriones unguiculatus. Body weight was measured and analysed over four-day intervals. Optimizing anaesthetic dosages was a first step in this pilot trial. This occurred during the first few subcutaneous implantations. Three animals died while anaesthetized during the subcutaneous procedure but none post-surgery. All animals survived anaesthesia during the intraperitoneal implantation, but two died in the first three days post-surgery. In the former method, the tension on the dermal sutures caused by the presence of the transmitters was too great, resulting in the animals opening the sutures by chewing them. The animals died during the latter procedure probably due to strangulation of the intestine by the excess lead that was coiled in the abdomen. Furthermore, placement of the exposed negative lead of the transmitter on the underlying muscle had to be done on the m. pectoralis transversus in order for it to stay in place as the animal developed. This paper showed that the implantation of a telemetric device in weanling gerbils is feasible and is best executed through the intraperitoneal technique.     

The Circadian Activity and Body Temperature Rhythms of Mice During Their Last Days of Life

Motor activity and body temperature rhythms have been investigated telemetrically in old mice until their death. The present paper is based mainly on the data of two animals which could be monitored over a sufficient length of time (more than three weeks), though the other three animals showed similar results. The daily body temperature rhythm of old mice was more stable as compared to the activity rhythm and was detectable until the last day of life. Its magnitude, defined as the difference between maximum and minimum, was similar to that obtained in middle-aged mice. By contrast, the activity rhythm disappeared or started to become erratic earlier. Unlike the position in younger animals, the body temperature rhythm was phase delayed with respect to the activity rhythm. In one mouse, the increased instability of the phase position two weeks before its death led to a free run with a period length of about 23.7 h. Both activity and temperature rhythms were fragmented in old mice. In the case of the body temperature this was obviously caused by masking. After purifying the raw temperatures, the fragmentation disappeared. On the other hand, the free-run condition was not caused by masking. The sensitivity of body temperature to motor activity was different from younger mice, and this probably reflects changes/deteriorations in the physiology of thermoregulation during the last days of life. In one mouse, during the last 4 days of life, a sharp, torpor-like decrease of body temperature corresponding with the time of the daily minimum was observed. This phenomenon was not found in other mice, though all of them died during the falling period of the temperature rhythm. The results confirm our hypothesis that the endogenous clock may work even during the very last days of life. The ability to synchronize with the periodic environment deteriorates earlier. Also they suggest that these phenomena are not only typical for the activity rhythm but apply also to the body temperature rhythm.     

The Circadian Activity and Body Temperature Rhythms of Mice During Their Last Days of Life

Motor activity and body temperature rhythms have been investigated telemetrically in old mice until their death. The present paper is based mainly on the data of two animals which could be monitored over a sufficient length of time (more than three weeks), though the other three animals showed similar results. The daily body temperature rhythm of old mice was more stable as compared to the activity rhythm and was detectable until the last day of life. Its magnitude, defined as the difference between maximum and minimum, was similar to that obtained in middle-aged mice. By contrast, the activity rhythm disappeared or started to become erratic earlier. Unlike the position in younger animals, the body temperature rhythm was phase delayed with respect to the activity rhythm. In one mouse, the increased instability of the phase position two weeks before its death led to a free run with a period length of about 23.7 h. Both activity and temperature rhythms were fragmented in old mice. In the case of the body temperature this was obviously caused by masking. After purifying the raw temperatures, the fragmentation disappeared. On the other hand, the free-run condition was not caused by masking. The sensitivity of body temperature to motor activity was different from younger mice, and this probably reflects changes/deteriorations in the physiology of thermoregulation during the last days of life. In one mouse, during the last 4 days of life, a sharp, torpor-like decrease of body temperature corresponding with the time of the daily minimum was observed. This phenomenon was not found in other mice, though all of them died during the falling period of the temperature rhythm. The results confirm our hypothesis that the endogenous clock may work even during the very last days of life. The ability to synchronize with the periodic environment deteriorates earlier. Also they suggest that these phenomena are not only typical for the activity rhythm but apply also to the body temperature rhythm.     

Different Behavior of the Circadian Rhythms of Activity and Body Temperature During Resynchronization Following an Advance of the LD Cycle

Spontaneous activity and the body temperature of laboratory mice were recorded telemetrically using implantable transmitters. Following ten control days (L : D = 12 : 12; light from 07:00 to 19:00), the LD cycle was phase-advanced by shortening the light time by 8 h. Recordings were continued for a further 3 weeks. The raw temperature data were unmasked or 'purified' — that is, the temperature changes due to locomotor activity were removed, so revealing the endogenous component of the rhythm — using a regression method previously developed by us. The circadian rhythms of activity and measured body temperature resynchronized on average after 8 days. During resynchronization, both rhythms tended to show two components, one adjusting by a phase advance and the other by a phase delay. However, after purification of the body temperature rhythm, only the advancing component remained. These results indicate that the delaying component of the measured temperature rhythm was caused by masking due to activity, and that the endogenous component of this rhythm did not divide into two components during the resynchronization process. Also, the endogenous component of the circadian rhythm of body temperature and one component of the activity rhythm seemed to be controlled by the same oscillator. It remains uncertain how the other component of the activity rhythm is regulated.     

Different Behavior of the Circadian Rhythms of Activity and Body Temperature During Resynchronization Following an Advance of the LD Cycle

Spontaneous activity and the body temperature of laboratory mice were recorded telemetrically using implantable transmitters. Following ten control days (L : D = 12 : 12; light from 07:00 to 19:00), the LD cycle was phase-advanced by shortening the light time by 8 h. Recordings were continued for a further 3 weeks. The raw temperature data were unmasked or ‘purified’ — that is, the temperature changes due to locomotor activity were removed, so revealing the endogenous component of the rhythm — using a regression method previously developed by us. The circadian rhythms of activity and measured body temperature resynchronized on average after 8 days. During resynchronization, both rhythms tended to show two components, one adjusting by a phase advance and the other by a phase delay. However, after purification of the body temperature rhythm, only the advancing component remained. These results indicate that the delaying component of the measured temperature rhythm was caused by masking due to activity, and that the endogenous component of this rhythm did not divide into two components during the resynchronization process. Also, the endogenous component of the circadian rhythm of body temperature and one component of the activity rhythm seemed to be controlled by the same oscillator. It remains uncertain how the other component of the activity rhythm is regulated.     

Pharmacological effects of vinorelbine on body temperature and locomotor activity circadian rhythms in mice

The effects of vinorelbine (VRL) on the circadian rhythms in body temperature and locomotor activity were investigated in unrestrained B6D2F₁ mice implanted with radio-telemetry transmitters. A single intravenous VRL dose (24 or 12 mg/kg) was given at 7 h after light onset (HALO), a time of high VRL toxicity, and resulted in transient suppression of temperature and activity circadian rhythms in mice kept in light-dark (LD) 12h:12h. Such suppression was dose-dependent. It occurred within 1-5 d after VRL dosing. Recovery of both rhythms was partially complete within 5 d following the high dose and within 2 or 3 d after the low dose and was not influenced by suppression of photoperiodic synchronization by housing in continuous darkness. Moreover, VRL induced a dose-dependent relative decrease in amplitude and phase shift of the temperature circadian rhythm. The mesor and amplitude of the activity rhythm were markedly reduced following the VRL administration. The relevance of VRL dosing time was studied in mice housed in LD 12h:12h. Vinorelbine was injected weekly (20 mg/kg/injection) for 3 wk at 6 or 18 HALO. Vinorelbine treatment ablated the rest-activity and temperature rhythms 3-6 d after each dose, with fewer alterations after VRL dosing at 18 HALO compared to 6 HALO, especially for the body temperature rhythm. There was at least partial recovery 1 wk after dosing, suggesting the weekly schedule of drug treatment is acceptable for therapeutic purposes. Our findings demonstrate that VRL can transiently, yet profoundly, alter circadian clock function. Vinorelbine-induced circadian dysfunction may contribute to the toxicokinetics of this and possibly other anticancer drugs.     

Daily Rhythm of the Response to Noradrenaline in Djungarian Hamsters Acclimated to Cold and Short Photoperiod

We investigated the daily rhythm of the response to noradrenaline injections in Djungarian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus sungorus) at neutral ambient temperature, under long photoperiod (L:D 12:12) and after four weeks of acclimation to cold (10ºC) and short photoperiod (L:D 8:16). Animals were injected with noradrenaline (0.6 mg/kg) every four hours. Body temperature and gross motor activity were measured with MiniMitter transmitters implanted into abdominal cavity. Additionally, we measured body weight and food intake prior to, and after acclimation. After four weeks of acclimation, the experiment was performed under LD cycle and then repeated during one-day of constant light (LL) and constant darkness (DD). In animals acclimated to L:D 12:12 and ambient temperature of 25ºC, noradrenaline injections caused short-lasting increase in body temperature followed by marked decrease. There was no significant difference in the magnitude of the reaction between light and dark phase of the day. After acclimation to cold and L:D 8:16, under LD conditions, we recorded significant differences between the responses to the noradrenaline injections during light and dark phase of the day. Post-injection increase was higher during the day than during the night while following noradrenaline-induced hypothermia was much more pronounced in darkness. In experiments performed after acclimation to cold and short photoperiod but during one day of LL and DD regimes, these differences were attenuated. Data presented here indicate that in cold acclimated hamsters, the response to exogenous noradrenaline depends on the time of injection and it exhibits clear daily rhythm. The rhythmicity is altered under LL and DD regimes. It seems that post-injection increase in body temperature elicits following hypothermia. This hypothermia might be of a great ecological importance. Reasonable lowering of body temperature would be a protective mechanism, allowing for energy charge restoration.     

Subdiaphragmatic vagal deafferentation affects body weight gain and glucose metabolism in obese male Zucker (fa/fa) rats

We investigated the effect of subdiaphragmatic vagal deafferentation (SDA) on food intake, body weight gain, and metabolism in obese (fa/fa) and lean (Fa/?) Zucker rats. Before and after recovery from surgery, food intake and body weight gain were recorded, and plasma glucose and insulin were measured in tail-prick blood samples. After implantation of a jugular vein catheter, an intravenous glucose tolerance test (IVGTT) was performed, followed by minimal modeling to estimate the insulin sensitivity index. Food intake relative to metabolic body weight (g/kg(0.75)) and daily body weight gain after surgery were lower (P < 0.05) in SDA than in sham obese but not lean rats. Before surgery, plasma glucose and insulin concentrations were lower (P < 0.05) in lean than in obese rats but did not differ between surgical groups within both genotypes. Four weeks after surgery, plasma glucose and insulin were still similar in SDA and sham lean rats but lower (P < 0.05) in SDA than in sham obese rats. IVGTT revealed a downward shift of the plasma insulin profile by SDA in obese but not lean rats, whereas the plasma glucose profile was unaffected. SDA decreased (P < 0.05) area under the curve for insulin but not glucose in obese rats. The insulin sensitivity index was higher in lean than in obese rats but was not affected by SDA in both genotypes. These results suggest that elimination of vagal afferent signals from the upper gut reduces food intake and body weight gain without affecting the insulin sensitivity index measured by minimal modeling in obese Zucker rats.     

Circadian modulation of starvation-induced hypothermia in sheep and goats

Prolonged food deprivation is known to cause a fall in the core body temperature of homeotherms. In various species of small birds and mammals (body mass up to 2–3 kg), it has been shown that starvation-induced hypothermia is modulated by the circadian system, in the sense that hypothermia is observed primarily during the inactive phase of the daily activity cycle (i.e., during the night for diurnal animals and during the day for nocturnal animals), whereas relatively normal temperatures are recorded during the active phase. To investigate whether this modulation occurs also in larger animals, we investigated the effects of 4d food deprivation on the body temperature rhythm of goats and sheep (body mass 30–40 kg). In goats, the body temperature rhythm was found to have a mean level of 39.0°C with a mean daily range of excursion of 0.42°C. The daily oscillation in body temperature persisted during the first day of fasting, but the rhythm was drastically damped, if not eliminated, over the next 3 d as body temperature descended from the baseline level of 39.0 to 38.2°C. In sheep, the rhythm was found to have a mean level of 39.3°C with a mean daily range of excursion of 0.34°C. The daily oscillation in body temperature persisted through the 4 d of food deprivation, even though the mean level of body temperature gradually fell. Temperature fell more during the third and fourth nights than during the third and fourth days. Thus, circadian modulation of starvation-induced hypothermia was observed in sheep but not in goats.     

Daily and estrous rhythmicity of body temperature in domestic cattle

Background

Rhythmicity in core body temperature has been extensively studied in humans and laboratory animals but much less in farm animals. Extending the study of rhythmicity of body temperature to farm animals is important not only from a comparative perspective but also from an economic perspective, as greater knowledge of this process can lead to improvements in livestock production practices. In this study in cattle, we investigated the maturation of the daily rhythm of body temperature in newborn calves, characterized the parameters of the daily rhythm in young cows, and studied the oscillation in body temperature associated with the estrous cycle in adult cows.

Results

We found that the daily rhythm of body temperature is absent at birth but matures fully during the first two months of life. The mature rhythm had a mean level of 38.3°C, a range of excursion of 1.4°C, and was more robust than that of any mammalian species previously studied (90% of maximal robustness). Sexually mature cows also exhibited a robust estrous rhythm of body temperature. An elevation of about 1.3°C was observed every 21 days on the day of estrus. Small seasonal variations in this pattern were observed.

Conclusion

In conclusion, calves exhibit a very robust daily rhythm of body temperature, although this rhythm is absent at birth and develops during the first two months of life. Adult cows exhibit also 21-day rhythmicity in body temperature reflecting the duration of the estrous cycle.

     

Dueling Hypotheses: Circatidal Versus Circalunidian Battle Basics–Second Engagement

The daily rhythm in body temperature is thought to be the result of the direct effects of activity and the effects of an endogenous circadian clock. Forced desynchrony (FD) is a tool used in human circadian rhythm research to disentangle endogenous and activity-related effects on daily rhythms. In the present study, we applied an FD protocol to rats. We subjected 8 rats for 5 days to a 20h forced activity cycle consisting of lOh of forced wakefulness and lOh for rest and sleep. The procedure aimed to introduce a lOh sleep/ lOh wake cycle, which period was different from the endogenous circadian (about 24h) rhythm. Of the variation in the raw body temperature data, 68–77% could be explained by a summation of estimated endogenous circadian cycle and forced activity cycle components of body temperature. Free-running circadian periods of body temperature during FD were similar to free-running periods measured in constant conditions. The applied forced activity cycle reduced clock-related circadian modulation of activity. This reduction of circadian modulation of activity did not affect body temperature. Also, the effects of the forced activity on body temperature were remarkably small.     

Forced Desynchrony of Orcadian Rhythms of Body Temperature and Activity in Rats

The daily rhythm in body temperature is thought to be the result of the direct effects of activity and the effects of an endogenous circadian clock. Forced desynchrony (FD) is a tool used in human circadian rhythm research to disentangle endogenous and activity-related effects on daily rhythms. In the present study, we applied an FD protocol to rats. We subjected 8 rats for 5 days to a 20h forced activity cycle consisting of lOh of forced wakefulness and lOh for rest and sleep. The procedure aimed to introduce a lOh sleep/ lOh wake cycle, which period was different from the endogenous circadian (about 24h) rhythm. Of the variation in the raw body temperature data, 68-77% could be explained by a summation of estimated endogenous circadian cycle and forced activity cycle components of body temperature. Free-running circadian periods of body temperature during FD were similar to free-running periods measured in constant conditions. The applied forced activity cycle reduced clock-related circadian modulation of activity. This reduction of circadian modulation of activity did not affect body temperature. Also, the effects of the forced activity on body temperature were remarkably small.     

Biotelemetry transmitter implantation in rodents: impact on growth and circadian rhythms

The implantation of a biotelemetry transmitter for core body temperature (T(c)) and motor activity (MA) measurements is hypothesized to have effects on growth and circadian rhythmicity depending on animal body-to-transmitter (B:T) size ratio. This study examined the impact of transmitter implantation (TM) on body weight, food intake (FI), water intake (WI), and circadian T(c) and MA rhythms in mice (23.8 +/- 0.04 g) and rats (311.5 +/- 5.1 g) receiving no treatment (NT), anesthesia, laparotomy (LAP), and TM. The B:T size ratio was 6:1 and 84:1 for mice and rats, respectively. In mice, body weight required 14 days to recover to presurgical levels and never attained the level of the other groups. FI recovered in 3 days, whereas WI never reached presurgical levels. Rat body weight did not decrease below presurgical levels. FI and WI recovered to presurgical levels in rats by day 2 postsurgery. Anesthesia decreased mouse body weight for 1 wk, but was without effect in rats. LAP significantly decreased body weight for 5 days in mice and 1 day in rats, showing a significant effect of the surgical procedure in the absence of TM in both species. Circadian T(c) and MA rhythms were evident within the first week in both species, indicating dissociation between circadian rhythmicity and recovery of growth variables. Cosinor analysis showed a TM effect on T(c) min, T(c) max, mesor, amplitude, and period of mice, whereas only the amplitude of the rhythm was affected in rats. These data indicate that a large B:T size ratio is associated with minimization of the adverse effects of surgical implantation. We recommend that B:T size ratio, recovery of presurgical body weight, and display of a robust circadian T(c) and MA rhythm be established before collection of biotelemetry data collection under an experimental paradigm.     

Circadian Modulation of Cold-Induced Thermogenesis in the Golden Hamster

The relationship between the circadian and homeostatic control of body temperature was studied in golden hamsters maintained under a 14:10 LD cycle. Telemetric records of body temperature showed that body temperature oscillates daily with a low phase during the light section of the LD cycle and a high phase during the dark section. The low phase of the temperature rhythm was found to start two hours after lights on and to last about 8 hours. The high phase was found to start immediately after lights off and to last about 8 hours also. Metabolic heat production was measured by indirect calorimetry during the high phase and the low phase of the body temperature rhythm. Heat production in a thermoneutral environment was higher during the high phase of the body temperature rhythm than during the low phase, but cold-induced thermogenesis was greater during the low phase than during the high phase. This finding suggests that the autonomic thermoregulatory system is more responsive to cold stress during the low phase than during the high phase. Consequently, the daily oscillation of body temperature cannot be explained by an elevation of the thermoregulatory set point during the high phase of the rhythm. The homeostatic and circadian control of body temperature seem to be exerted separately from each other.     

Circadian Modulation of Cold-Induced Thermogenesis in the Golden Hamster

The relationship between the circadian and homeostatic control of body temperature was studied in golden hamsters maintained under a 14:10 LD cycle. Telemetric records of body temperature showed that body temperature oscillates daily with a low phase during the light section of the LD cycle and a high phase during the dark section. The low phase of the temperature rhythm was found to start two hours after lights on and to last about 8 hours. The high phase was found to start immediately after lights off and to last about 8 hours also. Metabolic heat production was measured by indirect calorimetry during the high phase and the low phase of the body temperature rhythm. Heat production in a thermoneutral environment was higher during the high phase of the body temperature rhythm than during the low phase, but cold-induced thermogenesis was greater during the low phase than during the high phase. This finding suggests that the autonomic thermoregulatory system is more responsive to cold stress during the low phase than during the high phase. Consequently, the daily oscillation of body temperature cannot be explained by an elevation of the thermoregulatory set point during the high phase of the rhythm. The homeostatic and circadian control of body temperature seem to be exerted separately from each other.     

Circadian modulation of starvation-induced hypothermia in sheep and goats

Prolonged food deprivation is known to cause a fall in the core body temperature of homeotherms. In various species of small birds and mammals (body mass up to 2-3 kg), it has been shown that starvation-induced hypothermia is modulated by the circadian system, in the sense that hypothermia is observed primarily during the inactive phase of the daily activity cycle (i.e., during the night for diurnal animals and during the day for nocturnal animals), whereas relatively normal temperatures are recorded during the active phase. To investigate whether this modulation occurs also in larger animals, we investigated the effects of 4d food deprivation on the body temperature rhythm of goats and sheep (body mass 30-40 kg). In goats, the body temperature rhythm was found to have a mean level of 39.0°C with a mean daily range of excursion of 0.42°C. The daily oscillation in body temperature persisted during the first day of fasting, but the rhythm was drastically damped, if not eliminated, over the next 3 d as body temperature descended from the baseline level of 39.0 to 38.2°C. In sheep, the rhythm was found to have a mean level of 39.3°C with a mean daily range of excursion of 0.34°C. The daily oscillation in body temperature persisted through the 4 d of food deprivation, even though the mean level of body temperature gradually fell. Temperature fell more during the third and fourth nights than during the third and fourth days. Thus, circadian modulation of starvation-induced hypothermia was observed in sheep but not in goats.     

Infrared methodologies for the assessment of skin temperature daily rhythm in two domestic mammalian species

To assess the accuracy of infrared methodologies for daily rhythm monitoring of skin temperature, five clinically healthy Italian Saddle gelding horses, and five not pregnant and not lactating Camosciata goats, were monitored every 4 h over a 48 h period. The horses were housed in individual boxes, while the goats in two indoor pens, under natural photoperiod and natural environmental temperature. In each animal, skin temperature was recorded with the use of a digital infrared camera and a non-contact infrared thermometer, in five regions: neck, shoulder, ribs, flank and croup. Recorded values were compared with the well-established daily rhythm of rectal temperature. Rectal temperature was recorded at the same time by means of a digital thermometer. In horses, a lower value of skin temperature was recorded using the infrared thermometer for the croup region compared to shoulder and flank; a lower value of skin temperature was recorded using thermography for the croup region compared to the shoulder. In goats, a lower value of skin temperature was recorded using the infrared thermometer for the croup region compared to the flank. In both species, higher values of rectal temperature were observed, compared to the temperature recorded at the skin regions using the other two methodologies. Cosinor rhythmometry showed a daily rhythm of rectal and skin temperature recorded using both methodologies in all the examined regions. General linear model (GLM) showed statistically significant effect of breed on all rhythmic parameters; of day of monitoring on amplitude; of site of recording (rectal vs skin regions) on mesor, amplitude and acrophase; and no effect of methodologies used. The results of this study show the differences in rhythmicity of various body regions temperature and their differences in comparison with daily rhythm rectal temperature. The use of infrared methodologies was inaccurate in assessing body core temperature, but its use could be considered for the evaluation of inflammation in the different body sites.     

On the role of the pineal in thermoregulation in the pigeon

Diurnal rhythm in body temperature of pigeons subjected to different experimental conditions (pinealectomized, sham-operated, melatonin-implanted, cold-exposed) was studied under a 12 h light and 12 h dark regimen. The body temperature of pigeons during photophase was higher than that during scotophase in the normal as well as every treatment group studied. Pinealectomized pigeons showed higher body temperature in the photophase as well as scotophase, than that of the normal and sham-operated birds when examined 2 or 3 weeks following the post-surgical acclimatization to 25 or 3 degrees C. However, subcutaneous implantation of melatonin pellets into pinealectomized pigeons nullified or even reversed the hyperthermic effect of pinealectomy. Exposure of pigeons to--18 degrees C for 280 min during photophase as well as scotophase, produced a marked drop in body temperature in pinealectomized, sham-operated and normal pigeons. The pinealectomized pigeons exhibited a higher body temperature than that of the sham-operated and normal ones when exposed to--18 degrees C during the photophase, but not during the scotophase. It was concluded that while the pineal is not necessary for maintaining the daily thermal rhythm in the avian body, it has a thermoregulatory role, in that it prevents rise in body temperature in warm (25 degrees C) acclimatized and chronic cold (3 degrees C) exposed birds. In acute short-term cold (--18 degrees C) exposure however, the temperature regulatory role of the pineal was not effective during the scotophase.