Effects of noradrenaline infused into the chick hypothalamus on thermoregulation below thermoneutrality.

Abstract

1. Hypothermia induced by infusion of noradrenaline into the hypothalamus of 2-3 week old chicks, within their thermoneutral range, was considerably potentiated by lowering ambient temperature. 2. Noradrenaline-induced hypothermia was associated with reduced carbon dioxide elimination and reduced blood lactate concentrations whereas leg temperature, electromyographic activity, plasma NEFA and plasma glucose concentrations were increased. 3. Mechanisms postulated to explain the phenomenon are inhibitory and facilitatory effects of noradrenaline on some, but not all, heat production and heat loss mechanisms. Increased electromyographic activity after intrahypothalamic noradrenaline is assumed to be due to lack of effect of noradrenaline on spinal thermosensitive centres; increased plasma NEFA concentration may be due to inhibition of NEFA utilization.