THE EFFECTS OF LOWERED BODY TEMPERATURE AND OF INSULIN ON THE RESPIRATORY QUOTIENTS OF DOGS

Abstract

If shivering is suppressed, lowering the body temp. of a dog lowers the respiratory quotient to about $. Shivering is coincident with a marked rise in respiratory quotient; if inhibited, whether by insulin, cooling, anesthesia, or curare, the respiratory quotient falls correspondingly. The metabolic rate of a hypoglycemic dog with a body temp. of 25[degree]C. is 15-25% of the basal at normal body temp. Lowering the body temp. and preventing shivering by insulin hypoglycemia causes a change in the character of metabolism analogous to that reported for the hibernating marmot.