Effect of cutaneous denervation of face and trunk on thermoregulatory responses to cold in rats

Abstract

The effect of eliminating afferent input from cutaneous thermoreceptors of the face and trunk on the ability of rats to regulate body temperature in cool environments was studied. Thermoregulatory ability in a cool environment was assessed first in a 25 degrees C environment and then during slow (20 min) and rapid (5 min) reductions of ambient temperature (Ta) to 15 degrees C by monitoring rate of heat production, rectal temperature, and skin temperature on the back, ear, and tail. These measurements were made in four rats while they were intact and during the 2 wk after cutaneous denervation. Rats were found to regulate body temperature well even after the cutaneous nerves of the trunk and face were sectioned. In eight rats the metabolic curve was determined before and 7–10 days after cutaneous denervation. Although the minimal resting metabolic rates did not differ in the two conditions, the lower critical temperature was significantly elevated from 26.8 to 28.9 degrees C and the rate of rise in metabolic rate per degrees celsius decrease in Ta was also significantly higher after cutaneous denervation. It appears that the higher rate of heat production is in compensation for an increase in the rate of heat loss in denervated rats.