Effects of Continuous Exposure to Cold on Organ Weights, Blood and Urine Chemistry of Rabbits

Abstract

Twelve partly shaved, unilaterally nephrectom-ized albino rabbits were exposed to below-freezing temps. for 20 days. Compared with 10 control animals kept at room temp., refrigerated rabbits showed insignificant increases in heart and kidney wts. and significant alteration in serum protein patterns. The latter was shown in reduced concn. of serum beta-globulin together with elevation of gamma-globulin at the end of the 20-day period. The animals tolerated exposure well and showed no morph. evidence of the so-called diseases of adaptation. During the period of exposure no changes were noted in blood urea N concn., erythrocyte sedimentation velocity, erythroerit or leucocrit. Serum protein studies suggested the existence of distinct biological differences between young intact rabbits and older, unilaterally nephrectomized animals. These changes may be of importance in selection of animals for certain types of exptl. work.