Document Detail


Rat tail skin temperature monitored noninvasively by radiotelemetry: characterization by examination of vasomotor responses to thermomodulatory agents.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  12459150     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
INTRODUCTION: Measurement of tail skin temperature (T(sk)) of the rat can provide important information on mechanisms pertaining to physiology, pharmacology, and toxicology. T(sk) is largely under control of peripheral vascular tone, which is also sensitive to most experimental manipulations such as handling and restraint. Hence, it is extremely difficult to acquire long-term measurements of T(sk) that are free of artifacts from experimental manipulation. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the utility of a radiotelemetric probe to provide continuous, long-term measurements of T(sk) in undisturbed rats. METHODS: A telemetry probe is placed on the base of the tail and secured with a protective guard to prevent the rat from chewing on the probe. T(sk) is continuously monitored with standard radiotelemetric software and computer technology. Core temperature (T(c)) is monitored in duplicate sets of rats at the same time but the current system does not allow for simultaneous measurement of T(sk) and T(c) from the same animal. Rats were subjected to a variety of experimental manipulations to demonstrate the utility of the probe. RESULTS/DISCUSSION: A marked increase in T(sk) was seen during the transition from light to dark phase, reflecting an increase in heat loss to lower T(c); a decrease in T(sk) during the development of endotoxin-induced fever, reflecting a reduction in heat loss to facilitate an elevation in T(c); an increase in T(sk) following exposure to the organophosphate insecticide chlorpyrifos, reflecting an increase in heat loss to facilitate a hypothermia response; and a direct effect of increasing ambient temperature on T(sk). The probe is relatively inexpensive and is used with no surgery and provides long-term measurement (e.g., >24 h) of T(sk) in unrestrained rats.
Authors:
Christopher J Gordon; Earl Puckett; Beth Padnos
Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Journal of pharmacological and toxicological methods     Volume:  47     ISSN:  1056-8719     ISO Abbreviation:  J Pharmacol Toxicol Methods     Publication Date:    2002 Mar-Apr
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2002-12-02     Completed Date:  2003-06-19     Revised Date:  2008-11-21    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  9206091     Medline TA:  J Pharmacol Toxicol Methods     Country:  United States    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  107-14     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, USA. gordon.christopher@epa.gov
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Animals
Body Temperature* / drug effects
Chlorpyrifos / pharmacology
Environment
Insecticides / pharmacology
Lipopolysaccharides / pharmacology
Rats
Skin / blood supply,  drug effects
Skin Physiological Phenomena*
Tail / drug effects,  physiology*
Telemetry / methods*
Time Factors
Chemical
Reg. No./Substance:
0/Insecticides; 0/Lipopolysaccharides; 2921-88-2/Chlorpyrifos

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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