The influence of the conventional microflora on the body temperature of the chick.
1. Deep body temperature was measured daily in germ-free and conventional chicks from 1 to 16 of age. 2. The temperature of germ-free chicks rose rapidly during the first 4 d and thereafter only slowly, whereas that of conventional birds increased gradually throughout. 3. Body temperature attained by the germ-free birds was about 0.3 degrees C higher than that of conventional birds.
D000818:Animals; D001831:Body Temperature; D002645:Chickens / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000502:physiology; D002988:Cloaca / Q000502:physiology; D005856:Germ-Free Life; D012007:Rectum / Q000502:physiology