Restraint Hypothermia and Its Inhibition by Cold Acclimation

Abstract

Under restraint in a narrow cage at 6[degree]C, 30oC-acclimated rats suffered a progressive fall in skin and rectal temps. In a wider cage, however, normal temps. were maintained. At the same temp., similar restraint caused a significant decrease in skin temp. of 6[degree] C-acclimated rats but had no effect on rectal temp. The difference in response between the 2 groups was apparently not associated with greater body wt. (or more compression) of the 30[degree] Carats. Lower skin temps. and deep hypothermia suggest that heat production in restrained rats acclimated to 30[degree]C was lower than that in restrained 6[degree]C rats.