Abstract
In homeotherms total body thermosensitivity (TBTS) can be determined at any given ambient temperature (Ta) by relating an induced fall in body core temperature (Tc) to the resulting increase in metabolic heat production (M). Experimental determinations of TBTS usually involve using heat exchangers (water perfused thermodes) to lower body core temperature (e. g. Intravascular heat exchangers; Jessen et al., 1977, intestinal thermodes; Ionomoto & Simon, 1981). Some of the inherent problems related to the use of heat exchangers have been previously discussed (see Fig.2, Mercer & Simon, 1984). For example, in order to determine a correct TBTS it is important that temperature sensors are not directly influenced by the cooling thermode. i. e. there should be no hysteresis between the curves describing the relationship between Tc and M during body core cooling and in the recovery period following the end of body core cooling. In the avian class of homeotherms Tc can also be lowered by making use of the paradoxical effect resulting from local cooling (clamping) of the brain stem (Simon et al., 1986). In this case TBTS can be calculated by relating Tc to M during the recovery period following release of the thermal clamp.
Part of the results have been previously published in abstract form (Mercer, 1985).
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Helfmann, W., Jannes, P., and Jessen, C., 1981, Total body thermosensitivity and its spinal and supraspinal fractions in the conscious goose, Pflugers Arch., 391: 60.
Ionomoto, T., and Simon, E., 1981, Extracerebral deep-body cold sensitivity in the Pekin duck, Am. J. Physiol., 241: R136
Jessen, C., Mercer, J.B., and Puschmann, S., 1977, Intravascular heat exchanger for conscious goats, Pflugers Arch., 368: 263.
Mercer, J.B., 1985, Use of an oesophageal thermode for the determination of total body thermosensitivity in conscious eider ducks (Somateria mollissima), Acta Physiol Scand., 124: S542.
Mercer, J.B., and Simon, E., 1984, A comparison between total body thermosensitivity and local thermosensitivity in mammals and birds, Pflugers Arch., 400: 228.
Simon, E., Pierau, Fr-k., and Taylor, D.C.M., 1986, Central and peripheral thermal control of effectors in homeothermic temperature regulation, Physiol. Rev., 66: 235.
Simon-Oppermann, C., Simon, E., Jessen, C., and Hammel, H.T., 1978, Hypothalamic thermosensitivity in conscious pekin ducks, Am. J. Physiol. 235: R130.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1989 Springer Science+Business Media New York
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Mercer, J.B. (1989). The Shivering Response in Common Eider Ducks. In: Bech, C., Reinertsen, R.E. (eds) Physiology of Cold Adaptation in Birds. NATO ASI Series, vol 173. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-0031-2_2
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-0031-2_2
Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA
Print ISBN: 978-1-4757-0033-6
Online ISBN: 978-1-4757-0031-2
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive