The thermogenesis of digestion in rattlesnakes

Some snakes have a feeding regime characterized by the infrequent ingestion of relatively large meals, causing impressive increments in post-prandial metabolism. Metabolism remains elevated for many days, while digestion proceeds, resulting in considerable investment of time and energy. Snakes actively adjust thermoregulatory behavior to raise their body temperature during digestion, exhibiting a post-prandial thermophilic response that accelerates digestion at the expense of higher metabolic rates. In the present study, we investigated the possibility that endogenously derived heat, originating as a byproduct of the post-prandial increase in metabolism, could itself contribute to the elevated body temperature during digestion in the South American rattlesnake Crotalus durissus. We assessed heat production, at a constant environmental temperature, by taking infrared (IR) images of snakes during fasting and after being fed meals varying from 10% to 50% of their own body masses. Our results show clearly that digesting rattlesnakes have significantly increased body temperatures, even when precluded from adjusting their thermoregulatory behavior. The feeding-derived thermogenesis caused the surface body temperature of rattlesnakes to increase by 0.9-1.2degreesC, a temperature change that will significantly affect digestive performance. The alterations in body temperature following feeding correlated closely with the temporal profile of changes in post-prandial metabolism. Moreover, the magnitude of the thermogenesis was greater for snakes fed large meals, as was the corresponding metabolic response. Since IR imaging only assesses surface temperatures,, the magnitude of the thermogenesis and the changes in deep core temperature could be even more pronounced than is reported here.

Food deprivation and hypothermia in desynchronized sleep-deprived rats

Reports of the effect of desynchronized sleep (DS) deprivation on body temperature (Tb) of rats in the literature are contradictory. Since conspicuous body weight loss is common in such deprivation, the effect of food plus DS deprivation on Tb of adult male Wistar rats was studied. DS deprivation carried out by the small platform method with food ad libitum(N = 8) induced hyperthermia (Tb above 38.5 degrees C) in 1 to 3 rats daily until the 8th day, when a case of discrete hypothermia (Tb below 36.9 degrees C) appeared. Food deprivation alone started to induce hypothermia on the third day in one (20%) out of five rats. Fasting imposed from the 5th to the 8th day of DS deprivation (N = 12) caused hypothermia in 33% and 67% ofthe animals on the second and third day of starvation, respectively. DS compensatory manifestations in 6 starved rats intensified (N = 2) or precipitated (N = 2) hypothermia after the end of sleep deprivation. It is concluded that the hypothermia is not a primary effect of DS deprivation, and this state of sleep seems to have its particular functional role which is independent of thermoregulation.

Torpor in three species of Brazilian hummingbirds under semi-natural conditions

We measured body temperatures in three species of Brazilian hummingbirds, the Versicolored Emerald (Amazilia versicolor; body mass 4.1 g), the Black Jacobin (Me lantrochilus fuscus; body mass 7.7 g) and the Swallow-tailed Hummingbird (Eupetomena macroura; body mass 8.6 g), during overnight exposure to natural conditions of photoperiod and ambient temperatures. All three species entered torpor. In both A. versicolor and E. macroura, individuals entered torpor even if they had access to feeders up to the time of sunset. In contrast, M. fuscus was less prone to enter torpor and did so mainly if it had been fasting for more than two hours before sunset. Furthermore, M. fuscus often spent the whole night in torpor, whereas the two other species entered torpor for a variable, often short, period of the night. We observed more than one torpor bout during a single night in all three species. We suggest that multiple nocturnal torpors result from interruption of the normal torpor pattern by some (unknown) external stimuli. Any interrupted torpor was always followed by a new entry into torpor, supporting the view that there is a body mass threshold below which the hummingbirds must enter torpor Our data also indicate that these hummingbird species might use torpor even if they are not energetically stressed.

Thermoregulatory responses of Alpine goats during thermal stress

Eight non-lactating Alpine goats, averaging 57kg, were paired according to weight and assigned randomly to 2 groups of 4 animals, control (CG) and treatment (TG) with feed and water ad libitum. An adjustment period of 7 days with all animals at thermoneutral conditions was followed by a 28-day period when TG was exposed to air temperatures averaging 35.0 degrees C, from 0800 to 1700h, including simulated solar radiation, and thermoneutral conditions from 2700 to 0800h. CG remained under thermoneutral conditions. Respiratory frequency was greater, tidal volume lower, and respiratory minute volume greater for TG than CG (176 vs 30 breaths/min, P<.001, 105 vs 293ml, P<.01; 18.4 vs 9.21, P<.05). Respiratory evaporation and sweating rate as well as rectal and skin temperatures were greater for TG than CG (14.59 vs 6.32 kcal h(-1), P<.01; 43.97 vs.00 g m(-2) h(-1), P<.001; 40.0 vs 38.9 degrees C, P<.001; 39.3 vs 35.8 degrees C, P<.01). There was no difference between groups for hematocrit and feed intake, but water consumption was greater for stressed goats than control ones (28.3 vs 29.7%; 1.44 vs 1.49 kg/day; 3.07 vs 1.26 I/day, P<.05), Final body weights of both groups were similar to initial ones. It was concluded that non-lactating goats tolerated well a 35 degrees C day temperature which is 5 degrees C above the upper critical temperature, with a black-globe temperature of 39.1 degrees C and a Botsball temperature of 28.3 degrees C, though a certain degree of hyperthermia may occur, as long as thermoneutral conditions have prevailed during the night.

Respiratory heat loss of Holstein cows in a tropical environment

In order to develop statistical models to predict respiratory heat loss in dairy cattle using simple physiological and environmental measurements, 15 Holstein cows were observed under field conditions in a tropical environment, in which the air temperature reached up to 40 &DEG; C. The measurements of latent and sensible heat loss from the respiratory tract of the animals were made by using a respiratory mask. The results showed that under air temperatures between 10 and 35 &DEG; C sensible heat loss by convection decreased from 8.24 to 1.09 W m(-2), while the latent heat loss by evaporation increased from 1.03 to 56.51 W m(-2). The evaporation increased together with the air temperature in almost a linear fashion until 20 &DEG; C, but it became increasingly high as the air temperature rose above 25 &DEG; C. Convection was a mechanism of minor importance for respiratory heat transfer. In contrast, respiratory evaporation was an effective means of thermoregulation for Holsteins in a hot environment. Mathematical models were developed to predict both the sensible and latent heat loss from the respiratory tract in Holstein cows under field conditions, based on measurements of the ambient temperature, and other models were developed to predict respiration rate, tidal volume, mass flow rate and expired air temperature as functions of the ambient temperature and other variables.

EVALUATION of COVERING MATERIALS IN INDIVIDUAL SHELTERS and ITS EFFECTS on PHYSIOLOGICAL RESPONSES and PERFORMANCE of DAIRY CALVES

In Tropical regions, the animal performance is often affected by climate conditions. This study aimed to evaluate covering materials in individual shelters, normally used to house dairy calves, and its influence on the calves physiology and performance. The design used was completely randomized, with a 2x3 factorial arrangement to compare the averages of 5% through the Tukey's test, i.e., both genders-and three types of covering in the shelters (Z - zinc; AC - asbestos cement; and WPAC - white-painted asbestos cement). Parameters evaluated included daily weight gain (DWG), dry matter intake (DMI), feed conversion (FC), rectal temperature (RT), and respiratory frequency (RF). Results showed significant differences (P < 0.05) among males (1.04kg/day) and females (0.74kg/day) for DWG and interaction between gender and treatment (P < 0.05) for zinc covering (0.562kg/day for females and 1.120kg/day for males). Significant differences were also observed in FI of animals housed under shelters with the covering of zinc (48.35kgDM/day for females and 96.91 kgDM/day for males). There were no significant differences (P > 0.05) in the FC and the RT, and there were significant differences (P < 0.05) for RF in the Z treatments (56.9 mov.min(-1)), WPAC (62.2 mov.min(-1)) and FC (70.25 mov.min-1). It was concluded that different covering materials did not affect performance and dry matter intake of dairy calves. However, the animals' physiology of thermoregulation was altered by the different covering materials used in individual shelters.

Influência dos períodos, seco e chuvoso, sobre os parâmetros clínicos em caprinos das raças Canindé e Moxotó

Os caprinos têm um sistema de termorregulação que visa manter a temperatura corporal constante dentro de certos limites, independente da temperatura ambiente. Quando esses limites são estabelecidos, eles são usados em diversos mecanismos fisiológicos para manter a temperatura corporal (TC) dentro dos limites normais. Assim, a produção animal pode diminuir devido ao estresse térmico causado por temperaturas elevadas, especialmente em áreas semi-áridas como o Nordeste do Brasil. Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o comportamento fisiológico de diferentes grupos genéticos de caprinos nativos de acordo com a resposta fisiológica das varáveis temperatura retal (TR), frequência respiratória (FR), batimentos cardíacos (BC) e movimentos ruminais (MR), e estabelecer os parâmetros fisiológicos para estas raças sob as condições do semiárido do Nordeste do Brasil. Foram selecionados aleatoriamente 30 animais, sendo cinco machos e dez fêmeas da raça Canindé e cinco machos e dez fêmeas da raça Moxotó, dos quais foram aferidos as variáveis BC, FR e TR nos meses de abril e setembro/2007 e 2008. Observou-se influência significativa (P<0,05) do período do ano no BC, na FR e na TR na raça Canindé, sendo observados valores mais elevados de BC e TR no período chuvoso. Na raça Moxotó observou-se uma diferença significativa (P<0,05) quanto ao BC e TR entre os períodos estudados, sendo observadas na estação seca maiores valores para estas variáveis. Também se observou nesta raça, uma correlação negativa (47%) entre a temperatura ambiente (TA) e TR no período seco, enquanto que no período chuvoso, essa correlação foi positiva (28%). A correlação entre TA e BC foi negativa (21%) no período chuvoso e, positiva (25%) no período seco. Na raça Canindé observou-se correlação negativa (39%) entre TA e movimento ruminal (MR) na época chuvosa, enquanto que no período seco, essa correlação foi positiva (33%). Os parâmetros clínicos avaliados neste estudo encontram-se dentro da normalidade para a espécie caprina no semi-árido nordestino e a raça Moxotó apresentou comportamento condizente com uma maior tolerância ao clima da região e um maior grau de adaptabilidade.

Effects of acute cold exposure on rectal temperature, blood glucose and plasma free fatty acids in alloxan-diabetic rats

These experiments were carried out to study the effects of acute cold exposure (0-2°C/4 hr) on rectal temperature, blood glucose and plasma free fatty acids (FFA) in alloxan-diabetic rats. Male Wistar rats weighing 170-190 g were used and diabetes was induced by i.v. alloxan injection (40 mg/kg body wt). Cold exposure produced severe hypothermia in diabetic rats. After 4 hr of cold, blood glucose of diabetic rats was reduced from 296±16 to 86t±12 mg/dl (P<0.01), and FFA increased slightly, but was not statistically different (P>0.05) from the initial value. As expected, interscapular brown adipose tissue (IBAT) and retroperitoneal and epididymal white adipose tissues were significantly lower in diabetic than in control rats. Cold exposure reduced total IBAT lipids in control but not in diabetic animals. The results of this experiment suggest that diabetic rats were unable to maintain body temperature in the cold, probably because of a failure to generate an adequate amount of heat by nonshivering thermogenesis in brown adipose tissue.

Cold-acclimation improves cold-tolerance of diabetic rats

1. 1. The aim of these experiments was to study the extent to which previous cold-acclimation improves the cold-tolerance of diabetic rats. 2. 2. Alloxan diabetic rats (fasting blood glucose higher than 200mg/dl) were used in the experiments. 3. 3. In Expt. 1, non-cold-acclimated control and diabetic rats were exposed to cold environment (7-9°C), and the percentage of survival calculated during a 12-day experimental period. In Expt. 2, the rats were previously cold-acelimated before alloxan or saline injection (diabetic and control cold-acclimated rats) and the survival rate was also assessed during a 12-day period in the cold. 4. 4. The percentage of survival of the non-cold-acclimated diabetic rats (Expt.l) was 19% compared with 79% of the diabetic cold-acclimated animals (Expt. 2). There were no deaths in the control groups. 5. 5. Cold-acclimated diabetic rats maintained a near-normal thermogenic response after noradrenaline injection. This response was impaired in non-cold-acclimated diabetic rats. 6. 6. The results of these experiments suggest that the enhanced cold-tolerance of diabetic cold-acclimated rats could be related to the increased sympathetic activity and enhanced insulin sensitivity in thermogenic tissues, such as brown fat. © 1987.

Fever response induced by intravenous and intracerebrovascular injection of pyrogen in thyroidectomised and protein-calorie malnourished rabbits

The development of a fever in response to intravenous (IV, 1.5 μg/kg body mass) and intracerebroventricular (ICV, 1.5 μg/animal) injections of Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was studied in control, thyroidectomised and protein-calorie malnourished rabbits (New Zealand Whites, n = 55). ICV injection of LPS is control rabbits produced a fever response, the characteristics of which differed from those obtained after IV pyrogen injection. Thyroid deficiency caused an attenuated fever response, irrespective of whether LPS had been administered by IV or ICV injection. Protein-calorie malnourished rabbits showed a smaller fever response after IV or ICV pyrogen injections. Malnourished rabbits, refed over a period of 15 days, showed a typical biphasic fever response, but with lower magnitude than controls. The results of these experiments suggest that ICV injection of LPS is not an appropriate model for the study of fever mechanisms in disease states, and that the attenuated fever response observed in protein-calorie malnourished rabbits may be related, at least in part, to a decreased ability to produce the endogenous pyrogen interleukin-1.

HIPERTERMIA EM RATOS INDUZIDA PELA LESAO ELETROLITICA DO MESENCEFALO: PARTICIPACAO DAS PROSTAGLANDINAS

The present studies were conducted to determine the role of prostaglandins in the etiology of a rise of body temperature observed in rats after electrolytic lesion made on the dorsal mesencephalic areas. This hyperthermia was abolished by intraperitoneal administration of indomethacin, an inhibitor of prostaglandins synthesis. These results strengthen the suggestion of a similar mechanism for both neurogenic hyperthermia and the fevers produced by pyrogens. However, until further experiments are carried out, the possibility of lesion in producing hyperthermia by different mechanisms cannot be ruled out.

Body temperature and thermoregulatory behaviour of the lizard Ameiva ameiva in Central Amazonian forests

Body temperatures and thermoregulatory behaviour of the teiid lizard Ameiva ameiva inhabiting the edge and the understory were studied in Central Amazonian forests Despite of differences in the thermal profile of the habitates. the mean body temperature was the some for active lizards observed at the edge or inside the forest. where only slight peculiarities in thermoregulatory behaviour were observed. A. ameiva is capable of maintaining body temperature significantly above microhabitat temperature.

Um Modelo para a Determinação do Equilíbrio Térmico de Bovinos em Ambientes Tropicais

An equation based on heat transfer theory was presented to estimate the rate of heat loss from cattle exposed to a tropical environment, specified by the air temperature, humidity, solar radiation, and wind speed. The animals' variables (sweating rate, rectal temperature, respiratory rate, surface temperature, haircoat color, and body weight) were considered together with environmental variables (air temperature and humidity, solar radiation, wind speed, and globe temperature). The equation allows the prediction of (a) the metabolic heat production level necessary to balance heat losses under specified environmental conditions; (b) the combination of environmental factors that provide a determined heat flux between a given animal and its environment.

The comparative efficacy of yohimbine and atipamezole to treat amitraz intoxication in dogs

This study compared the efficacy of yohimbine with atipamezole, a new α2-adrenergic antagonist, to treat canine amitraz intoxication. Thirty dogs were divided equally into 3 groups (A, AY, and AA). Group A received 2.5% amitraz iv at 1 mg/kg; Group AY received the same dose of amitraz followed 30 min later by 0.1 mg/kg (2 mg/mL) yohimbine iv; and Group AA received the same dose of amitraz followed 30 min later by 0.2 mg/kg (5 mg/mL) atipamezole iv. Temperature, heart rate, respiratory frequency, mean arterial pressure, degree of sedation, mean time of tranquilization and diameter of pupils were monitored for 360 min. Sedation, logs of reflexes, hypothermia bradycardia, hypotension, bradypnea and mydriasis were observed in Group A, with 3rd eyelid prolapse, increased diuresis and vomiting in some animals. Yohimbine reversed all alterations induced by amitraz, but induced significant cardiorespiratory effects such as tachycardia and tachypnea. Atipamezole was a useful antagonist for amitraz, with less cardiorespiratory effects, suggesting its potential role as an alternative treatment of amitraz intoxication in dogs.