title: Thermoregulation at a high ambient temperature following the oral administration of ethanol in the rat.
abstract: This study was designed to assess the thermoregulatory mechanisms responsible for the elevation in body temperature following ethanol administration when exposed to a high ambient temperature (Ta). Male rats of the Fischer 344 strain were gavaged with 20% ethanol at doses of 0, 2.0, 4.0, 6.0, or 8.0 g/kg and were then placed in an environmental chamber set at a Ta of 37 degrees C. Metabolic rate normalized to body mass0.75 (MR), evaporative water loss (EWL), and motor activity were recorded for 60 min. Ethanol elicited a significant increase in colonic temperature and decrease in MR, EWL, and motor activity. Ethanol also significantly reduced the quantity of evaporated water per milliliter of oxygen consumed (E/M). Multiple linear regression analysis indicated that the two major factors which were associated with the ethanol-induced elevation in body temperature were an increase in MR and a decrease in E/M. Visual observation of behavior indicated that the normal grooming of saliva onto the fur during heat stress was impaired in ethanol-treated animals. Thus, during exposure to a high Ta, the acute ethanol-induced elevation in body temperature appears to be attributed to a suppression in both autonomic and behavioral mechanisms of heat dissipation.
authors: Neurotoxicology Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711.
authors: C J
authors: CJ
authors: Gordon
authors: F S
authors: FS
authors: Mohler
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects; D001833:Body Temperature Regulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D000431:Ethanol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006358:Hot Temperature; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats; D011916:Rats, Inbred F344; D012044:Regression Analysis
chemical_list: D000431:Ethanol