Catecholamine excretion in men exposed to cold

Abstract

Male subjects were subjected to a cold stress of 6.5°C for 1 hour. One-hour urine samples were collected in acid immediately before and after the exposure. Physiological responses such as blood pressure, body temperature, pulse rate and pupil size were recorded under this hypothermic stress. Epinephrine and norepinephrine were extracted from the urine and determined fluorometrically. In addition, the epinephrine concentration was determined by a specific bio-assay method with the rat uterus. A significant increase in excretion of these amines was found by both methods; a more marked increase was noted for epinephrine. It was concluded that the secretion of these amines is involved in the chemical control of heat production during exposure to cold. Submitted on July 6, 1959