Ontogeny of thermoregulatory mechanisms in the rat.
The ability of rats to select a warm environment was studied as a function of postnatal age (birth to 13 days). Animals younger than 5 days demonstrated no choice response (movement to a warm compartment, 36-37 degrees C); however, they did demonstrate movement within the start compartment (23 degrees C). Increasing the motor capabilities of the pups, by injection of L-3,4 dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-dopa, 50 mg/kg), elicited a choice response in 4-5 day-old animals. Younger animals demonstrated no choice of a warm environment even though they moved considerably. Also there was no difference between L-dopa-treated and control animals in the magnitude of temperature change in pups isolated from their mother for 1 hr. The evidence suggests development of behavioral thermoregulatory mechanisms prior to abilities for internal regulation.
D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn / Q000254:growth & development*; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000502:physiology*; D001831:Body Temperature; D001833:Body Temperature Regulation; D004295:Dihydroxyphenylalanine / Q000494:pharmacology; D006358:Hot Temperature; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D051381:Rats
D004295:Dihydroxyphenylalanine