Acclimatization to Cold: Natural and Artificial

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Abstract
Clipped, non-acclimatized rats exposed to cold air (1.5[degree]C) died of hypothermia within 24 hrs. Survival was more frequent if the animals were exposed to the cold air for a period of 4-6 weeks prior to clipping the fur. Under the exptl. conditions, the degree of acclimatization appeared to be maximal at this time. The acclimatization, however, was only temporary, and decreased considerably when acclimatized animals were kept at room temp. for 4 days. Clipped, non-acclimatized rats, pretreated with a combination of cortisone and thyroxine had a higher frequency of survival than had non-treated animals, or animals given glucose, glucose and insulin, DCA, ascorbic acid, cortisone, cortisone and insulin, thyroxine, and ACTH. The increased frequency of survival of pretreated rats was not as great as in those animals which had been acclimatized naturally by previous cold exposure. The changes produced during acclimatization make it possible for the animal to maintain a high level of heat production for long periods during cold exposure.
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