Non-cutaneous peripheral thermosensitivity in the goat (Capra hircus)

1. A 0.2 m2 area of the trunk skin was denervated and its center was externally cooled or warmed, when central body temperature was lowered. 2. When the denervated skin was cooled, the central body temperature, at which shivering occurred, was significantly higher than with warming of the denervated skin. 3. It is concluded that the difference was caused by temperature signals originating from thermoreceptors in tissue layers underneath the denervated skin.

The metabolic response to skin temperature

Experiments were done to assess that fraction of the metabolic response to external cold exposure, which is attributable to skin temperature. In 5 conscious and closely clipped goats the metabolic rate was determined at various stable levels of skin temperature in the range from 13 to 41 degrees C, while core temperature was kept constant at 38.8 degrees C. Skin temperature was manipulated by a rapidly circulating shower bath, while core temperature was controlled by means of heat exchangers acting on arterial blood temperature in a chronic arteriovenous shunt. The metabolic response to skin temperature fell into two clearly discernible sections: a first zone with skin temperatures above 25-30 degrees C, within which the metabolic rate rose at a rate of -0.34 +/- 0.07 W/kg.degrees C with decreasing skin temperature, and a second zone with skin temperatures below 25-30 degrees C, within which the metabolic rate either plateaued or even grew smaller with further decreasing skin temperature. It is concluded that the relationship between skin temperature and metabolic rate does not directly reproduce the temperature-response curve of cutaneous cold receptors but also reflects a complex interaction of several factors, including an unspecific temperature effect on muscle metabolism.

Thermosensitivity of the goat's brain

1. Experiments were done in conscious goats to estimate the gain of brain temperature sensors and to evaluate that fraction of the thermosensitivity of the entire brain which can be determined by a thermode located in the hypothalamus. 2. The animals were implanted with local thermodes, carotid loops and intravascular heat exchangers permitting independent control of hypothalamic temperature, extrahypothalamic brain temperature and trunk core temperature. 3. Small and slow ramp-like displacements of hypothalamic temperature generated continuously increasing thermoregulatory responses without any dead band, if a negative feed-back from extrahypothalamic sources was suppressed. 4. The hypothalamic sensitivity determined by the metabolic response to slow ramp-like cooling of the thermode amounted to -1.4 W/(kg degrees C) and equalled approximately 30% of what had been found for total body core sensitivity in another series of experiments. 5. Total brain thermosensitivity was -1.6 W/(kg degrees C), which implies that a large thermode centred in the hypothalamus can detect approximately 85% of the thermosensitivity of the entire brain.

No dynamic effector responses to fast changes of core temperature at constant skin temperature

Experiments in conscious goats were done to see whether heat production and respiratory evaporative heat loss show dynamic responses to changing core temperature at constant skin temperature. Core temperature was altered by external heat exchangers acting on blood temperature, while skin temperature was maintained constant by immersing the animals up to the neck in a rapidly circulating water bath. Core temperature was altered at various rates up to 0.9 degrees C/min. Step deviations of core temperature from control values were always followed by a positive time derivative of effector response, but never by a negative time derivative during sustained displacement of core temperature. Ramp experiments showed that the slopes at which heat production or heat loss rose with core temperature deviating from its control level grew smaller at higher rates of change of core temperature. It is concluded that neither heat production nor respiratory evaporative heat loss respond to the rate of change of core temperature. At constant skin temperature, thermoregulatory effector responses appear to be proportional to the degree to which core temperature deviates from its set level.

Work performance, thermoregulation and muscle metabolism in thyroidectomized goats (Capra hircus)

1. Thyroid hormone deficiency resulted in a markedly diminished work efficiency of goats exercising on a treadmill at an ambient temperature of 30 degrees C. 2. The close relationship between the exercise-induced increase in core temperature and the magnitude of evaporative heat loss, characteristic for intact animals, was nearly completely abolished after thyroidectomy. 3. Muscle glycogen utilization and lactic acid accumulation during exercise were enhanced in thyroidectomized animals in spite of the lower work rate and shorter duration of exercise in comparison with euthyroid goats.

Effects of skin temperature on cold defense after cutaneous denervation of the trunk

In intact goats the core temperature threshold below which heat production increases with falling core temperature, is inversely related to the temperature of the water bath in which they stand and is therefore assumed to be indicative of the central integration of signals from skin and core temperature receptors. The present study shows that a difference in core temperature thresholds for bath temperatures of 35 degrees C and 40 degrees C persisted after denervation of about two-thirds of the skin of the trunk and limbs. Also, for a given combination of skin and core temperatures, heat production was as great or greater after cutaneous denervation as before. It is concluded that, following denervation of the trunk and upper limbs, intact temperature receptors in the non-denervated skin of the legs and tail, and/or also in tissues between the skin and core, provide important and significant inputs to the temperature regulating system. But these inputs cannot explain fully the thermoregulatory responses observed unless it is assumed that the thermosensitivity of these tissues increased.

Skin and core temperatures as determinants of heat production and heat loss in the goat

In 82 experiments on 10 goats body core temperature (Tcore) was altered between 35 degrees and 42 degrees C by external heat exchangers acting on blood temperature while skin temperature (Tskin) was maintained constant, by a circulating shower bath, at different levels between 32 degrees and 44 degrees C. At all skin temperatures at least fourfold increases of heat production (M) and respiratory evaporative heat loss (REHL) occurred when Tcore was lowered or raised, respectively. The lower Tskin was, the higher were the thresholds of Tcore, at which M or REHL exceeded resting levels. The lower Tskin was, the higher were the slopes, at which M or REHL changed per unit of Tcore. At a given Tskin, the slopes decreased with increasing M or REHL, and were dependent on the range of Tcore. The higher the range of Tcore, the steeper changed M and REHL with changing Tcore, if all other variables were held constant. The results support the concept that an exponential relationship between Tcore and the rate of core temperature signals is the primary cause of the effects exerted by Tskin on the slopes, at which M or REHL change per unit of Tcore.

Effects of brain and trunk temperatures on exercise performance in goats

In 40 experiments on seven goats head and trunk temperatures were altered independently of each other and the effects on exercise performance on a treadmill (speed: 3 km/h, slope: 16%-20%) were observed. Brain temperature between 38.5 degrees C and 42.0 degrees C and trunk temperature between 39 degrees C and 43.5 degrees C did not reduce exercise performance or running time. Blood lactate concentration increased with rising brain and trunk temperatures, but did not exceed 13.1 mmol/l-1. Blood pressure and heart rate did not show any dependence on brain or trunk temperatures. Brain temperature between 42.0 degrees C and 42.9 degrees C shortened running time in 3 out of 12 experiments and reduced performance during shortlasting upward deviations of temperature. This suggests that in this species, the thermal safety limit to exercise is very close to that range of temperature which is likely to induce heat stroke.

Competition for cool nasal blood between trunk and brain in hyperthermic goats

An influence of brain and trunk temperatures controlled independently of each other by means of artificial heat exchangers, on the intensity of natural selective brain cooling (SBC) was studied in 6 conscious goats. Intensity of SBC was markedly enhanced by increasing brain temperature. On the other hand, a rise of trunk temperature with the cerebral temperature clamped at 39 degrees C or 40 degrees C, reduced SBC intensity in spite of a simultaneous increase in the respiratory evaporative heat loss. When brain temperature was clamped at 41 degrees C, the magnitude of SBC was essentially independent of trunk temperature. These results suggest that during hyperthermia a competition exists between trunk and brain for cool nasal blood.

Problems with neuronal models in temperature regulation

Neuronal models in temperature regulation are primarily considered explicit statements of assumptions and premises used in design of experiments and development of descriptive equations concerning the relationships between thermal inputs and control actions. Some of the premises of current multiplicative models are discussed in relation to presently available experimental evidence. The results of these experiments suggest that there is no skin temperature compatible with life which completely suppresses a rise of heat production in response to low internal temperature. The slope of heat production versus internal temperature at a given skin temperature is not constant but depends on internal temperature and the level of heat production. Therefore, a concept involving additive interaction of central and peripheral temperature signals appears more flexible in accepting data obtained even under extreme conditions.

Skin AVA and capillary dilatation and constriction induced by local skin heating

In conscious sheep, total femoral blood flow and flow through arteriovenous anastomoses (AVAs) and capillaries (CAP) in skin of the hindleg were measured employing electromagnetic and radioactive microsphere techniques. Core temperature (Tc) was manipulated using intravascular heat exchangers and hindleg skin temperature (Tsk) was manipulated by immersion in temperature controlled water. With Tc set 1 degree C above normal, AVA flow was highest at the lowest Tsk tested (34 degrees C); AVAs progressively constricted as Tsk was increased from 34 to 40-41 degrees C, then dilated again as Tsk reached the highest levels tested (42-44 degrees C). Skin CAP flow was not altered by Tsk of 34 to 42 degrees C but was increased at a Tsk of 44 degrees C. Therefore total skin blood flow followed essentially the same pattern as AVA flow; total femoral flow also followed this pattern. When Tc was set 0.5 degrees C below normal, AVA flow was low at all levels of Tsk. It is concluded that Tc plays a dominant role in control of skin blood flow, however, once Tc is at a level requiring increased heat loss, Tsk exerts an extremely potent influence on the nature and magnitude of changes in skin blood flow. The pattern of flow changes appears to reflect principally a negative feedback mechanism aimed at maintaining Tsk at approximately 40 degrees C; this may contrast with mechanisms associated with sweating and/or active vasodilatation in other species.

Use of fibrin glue in thoracic surgery

The results of closure of various types of postoperative thoracic fistulas with two-component fibrin sealant in 5 patients are presented. The use of a new technique for the noninvasive closure of bronchial fistulas with fibrin sealant is also described. Implications of the management of thoracic fistulas with fibrin sealant are discussed.

Circulation and acid-base balance in exercising goats at different body temperatures

Thirty experiments were performed in two goats at an air temperature of +35 degrees C and a relative humidity of 33%. By means of heat exchangers, body core temperature (Tpaor) was adjusted to 39, 40.5, or 42 degrees C and maintained at these levels for 120 min. During the last 60 min the animals worked at a rate of 1.2 W/kg (treadmill, 3 km/h, 15%). Blood gases (arteriovenous O2 difference, Po2, Pco2), hemoglobin (Hb), blood lactate (LA), cardiac output (CO), blood pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), metabolic rate (M), and respiratory evaporative heat loss (REHL) were determined. M, CO, HR, and Hb increased with exercise and were independent of Tpaor. At rest and exercise, REHL increased and Pco2 decreased at higher levels of Tpaor resulting in a respiratory alkalosis. During exercise this was accompanied by an increase in LA. At all instants, the concentrations of LA were higher at higher Tpaor. It is concluded that in a virtually nonsweating species like the goat the overall stress on the circulatory system caused by hyperthermia during exercise is relatively small while the behavior of blood LA is indicative of a temperature-dependent accumulation of LA also in the exercising muscle.

Some characteristics of core temperature signals in the conscious goat

In three conscious goats, head and trunk temperatures were altered independently of each other by means of extracorporeal carotid heat exchangers and intravascular heat exchangers in the trunk veins. In 35 experiments heat production and heat loss were measured while head temperature was varied between 35.4 and 42.2 degrees C and trunk temperature between 34.5 and 42.4 degrees C. The largest temperature difference between head and trunk amounted to 6.6 degrees C. Head and trunk generated approximately equal fractions of the total core temperature input to the controller. The distribution of combinations of head and trunk temperatures resulting in constant levels of heat production and heat loss was consistent with the hypothesis that the total core temperature input to the controller equaled the sum of two identical inputs, both rising exponentially with temperature. The hypothesis implies that the input generated by core sensors of temperature in head and trunk is a continuum and conforms with the temperature-response curve of warm receptors.

Temperature sensitivity of skeletal muscle in the conscious goat

A method has been developed to test the hypothesis that the deep tissues of the legs, e.g., skeletal muscle and/or periosteum, contain thermosensitive elements feeding signals into the temperature-regulating system. Stainless steel thermodes of 10 to 12-mm diameter and 100 to 150-mm length were chronically implanted into the marrow spaces of both humeri and femora, all of which have wide cavities and thin walls. Perfusing the thermodes with water of 0 degree C altered the temperature of the deep muscle layers by several degrees. The animals were further equipped with intravascular heat exchangers, which served to keep general body temperature constant during periods of leg cooling. Eighty experiments were performed in a hot and dry environment. During the middle period of each experiment the legs were cooled by perfusing the thermodes with water of 0 degree C. This caused respiratory evaporative heat loss to decrease by 0.15-0.20 W/kg. The small but significant response occurred at constant general body temperature and is therefore indicative of a local effect of the cooling on deep thermosensitive elements in the legs themselves and a neural afferent transmission of temperature signals into the temperature-regulating system.

Total body thermosensitivity and its spinal and supraspinal fractions in the conscious goose

1. Effects of general body cooling on heat production: an intravascular heat exchanger was used to alter total body temperature. Heat production increased with decreasing body temperature at an average rate of -12W/kg x degree C. The rate of rise was independent of air temperature. The threshold body temperature below which heat production rose was lower at higher air temperature. 2. Effects of spinal cord cooling: heat production increased with decreasing spinal temperature at an average rate of -0.3 W/kg x degree C. The rate of rise was not clearly affected by air temperature. The spinal threshold temperature was lower at warm ambient conditions. The results suggest that spinal thermosensitivity in the goose represents only a minor fraction of total body thermosensitivity. 3. Effects of head cooling: heat exchangers closing the carotid arteries were used to alter the temperature of the blood supplied to the head. Cooling increased heat production. When the thermosensitivity of the area, which was affected by heat exchanger, was calculated from the relationship between changes of heat production and brain temperature, values between -0.74 and -1.65 W/kg x degree C were obtained. Measurements of brain, spinal cord and head skin temperatures suggest that the thermosensitive structures which mediated the responses, were predominantly situated in the brain.

Independent clamps of peripheral and central temperatures and their effects on heat production in the goat

1. Experiments were performed to study the interaction of skin and core temperatures in the control of heat production. Shorn goats with intravascular heat exchangers to control core temperature were immersed to the neck in a circulating water bath to clamp skin temperature. With bath temperature kept constant at levels between 32 and 42 degrees C, core temperature was varied between 40 and 36 degrees C, and the changes in heat production were measured. 2. With falling core temperature shivering occurred at all bath temperatures, and heat production rose. The threshold of core temperature below which heat production increased varied inversely to the level of skin temperature. Even at a bath temperature of 42 degrees C the slope at which heat production rose exceeded -5 W. kg-1 . C-1. The results show that in the goat even very high skin temperatures do not abolish the central impulse to shiver which is caused by low core temperature. 3. It is concluded that in the control of heat production, skin temperature and core temperature provide linear and independent inputs which do not replicate any known relationship between temperature and discharge frequency of thermoreceptors.

Thermal control of respiratory evaporative heat loss in exercising dogs

Experiments were carried out to determine whether respiratory evaporative heat loss (REHL) in exercising dogs is entirely under thermal control or whether a nonthermal input is additionally involved. To determine body core thermosensitivity, hypothalamic perfusion thermodes and intravascular heat exchanges were chronically implanted in the animals. This allowed the temperature of these two areas to be independently manipulated. At 30 degrees C air temperature, REHL was measured in three dogs during rest or while running on a treadmill (6 km . h-1, 0 degree gradient). During exercise, the threshold temperature was lowered by 9 degrees C, and the slope of the heat-loss response was reduced to one-third as compared with rest when hypothalamic temperature alone was clamped at various levels between 30 degrees and 42 degrees C. However, when extrahypothalamic body core temperature was additionally clamped, the decrease in threshold during exercise was reduced to 0.43 degrees C, while the slope of the response was identical to that during rest. The results suggest that by taking account of total body core thermosensitivity, instead of hypothalamic thermosensitivity, the alleged role of a nonthermal input is greatly reduced. In addition, the results showed that the major pat of central thermosensitivity must be attributed to the extrahypothalamic body core.