Hypothalamic temperature during desynchronized sleep

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Abstract
The influence of changes in heat loss at specific heat exchangers, appraised by recording ear skin temperature (Ts), on the hypothalamic temperature (Thy) rise during desynchronized sleep (DS) was studied in unrestrained cats at different ambient temperatures (Ta). The correlations of initial and final Thy changes (ΔiThy and ΔfThy) with initial and final Ts changes (ΔiTs and ΔfTs), respectively, are statistically not significant. However, a significant negative correlation was found between ΔfiThy, i.e. ΔfThy-ΔiThy, and ΔfiTs, i.e. ΔfTs-ΔiTs. The latter result shows that only after its initial rise is Thy affected by changes in heat loss at specific heat exchangers during DS. Accordingly, ΔfThy and ΔfiThy are positively correlated with Ta. However, also ΔiThy, although not affected by heat loss changes at specific heat exchangers, shows a positive correlation with Ta. On the basis of these results and of the data in the literature, it is concluded that three independent factors underlie Thy changes during DS, namely heat loss at specific heat exchangers, hypothalamic blood flow and thermogenesis.