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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1976

Critical thermal maximum in mice.

The critical thermal maximum (the colonic temperature of heat-induced convulsion and righting reflex loss) and thermoregulatory response of male mice were examined following I, exposure to colonic temperature (Tco) 42 degrees C; II, a single exposure to the critical thermal maximum (Tco 44 degrees C); AND III, acclimation at ambient temperatures of 15 or 30 degrees C for 14 days. The critical thermal maximum (CTM) was greater in 30 degrees C acclimated mice than 15 degrees C acclimated mice but was unchanged in mice surviving exposure to Tco 42 degrees C or the CTM. The heating time to apparent breakdown of thermoregulation coincident with an explosive rise in the Tco during exposure to ambient temperature 40.8 degrees C was increased (100%) during the 48-h period following exposure to Tco 42 degrees. It appeared that mice exposed to severe, short-term heat stress (Tco 42 degrees) undergo a compensatory increase in their thermoregulatory cooling capacity with little or no change in the upper temperature tolerated. The animals did, however, exhibit the capability for adaptive adjustments of the upper thermal limit during extended exposure to the more prolonged and less severe environmental heat stress of acclimation at 30 degrees C.

Acclimatization↗
PubMed1978

Induced hyperthermia in sedated humans and the concept of critical thermal maximum.

The concept of critical thermal maximum (CTM) has been defined in the literature as the minimal high deep-body temperature that is lethal to an animal. In man the CTM has been estimated at 41.6--42.0 degrees C. Data are presented for sedated, unacclimatized, well-hydrated men heated 1 h at esophageal temperatures of 41.6--42.0 degrees C, without sequelae, except for modest elevation of serum enzymes in two of five patients. These data when combined with other observations in the literature suggest that CTM be redefined as the particular combination of exposure time at elevated body temperatures that results in either subclinical (CTM)s) or clinical (CTMc) injuries. Also presented is a mathematical technique, equivalent time at 42 degrees C (Teq 42 degrees), for expressing hyperthermia in terms of body temperature and exposure time.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Behavioral thermoregulation in Hemigrapsus nudus, the amphibious purple shore crab.

The thermoregulatory behavior of Hemigrapsus nudus, the amphibious purple shore crab, was examined in both aquatic and aerial environments. Crabs warmed and cooled more rapidly in water than in air. Acclimation in water of 16 degrees C (summer temperatures) raised the critical thermal maximum temperature (CTMax); acclimation in water of 10 degrees C (winter temperatures) lowered the critical thermal minimum temperature (CTMin). The changes occurred in both water and air. However, these survival regimes did not reflect the thermal preferences of the animals. In water, the thermal preference of crabs acclimated to 16 degrees C was 14.6 degrees C, and they avoided water warmer than 25.5 degrees C. These values were significantly lower than those of the crabs acclimated to 10 degrees C; these animals demonstrated temperature preferences for water that was 17 degrees C, and they avoided water that was warmer than 26.9 degrees C. This temperature preference was also exhibited in air, where 10 degrees C acclimated crabs exited from under rocks at a temperature that was 3.2 degrees C higher than that at which the 16 degrees C acclimated animals responded. This behavioral pattern was possibly due to a decreased thermal tolerance of 16 degrees C acclimated crabs, related with the molting process. H. nudus was better able to survive prolonged exposure to cold temperatures than to warm temperatures, and there was a trend towards lower exit temperatures with the lower acclimation (10 degrees C) temperature. Using a complex series of behaviors, the crabs were able to precisely control body temperature independent of the medium, by shuttling between air and water. The time spent in either air or water was influenced more strongly by the temperature than by the medium. In the field, this species may experience ranges in temperatures of up to 20 degrees C; however, it is able to utilize thermal microhabitats underneath rocks to maintain its body temperature within fairly narrow limits.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Thermal physiology of the common eelpout (Zoarces viviparus).

We investigated the temperature dependence of some physiological parameters of common eelpout (Zoarces viviparus) from different locations (North Sea, Baltic Sea and Norwegian Sea) on acclimation temperature (3 degrees C and 12 degrees C) and acute temperature variation. The lethal limit of 12 degrees C-acclimated eelpout was determined as the critical thermal maximum [loss of equilibrium (LE) and onset of muscular spasms (OS)] and it was found to be 26.6 degrees C for LE and 28.8 degrees C for OS for all populations. However, these parameters do not have any relevant ecological interpretation. We therefore investigated the effect of gradually increased water temperature on standard metabolic rate (measured as resting oxygen consumption Mo2) and critical oxygen concentration ([O2]c) of eelpouts. Acclimation to low temperature (3 degrees C) resulted in partial compensation of Mo2, paralleled by a decrease of activation energy for Mo2 (from 82 kJ mol(-1) at 12 degrees C to about 50 kJ mol(-1) at 3 degrees C) in North Sea and Baltic Sea eelpouts. At the same time, Norwegian eelpout showed no acclimation of oxygen demand to warm temperature (12 degrees C) at all. The scope for eelpout aerobic metabolism shrank considerably with increased acclimation temperature, as [O2]c approached water oxygen concentrations. At 22.5+/-1 degrees C the [O2]c reached air saturation, which is equivalent to the upper critical temperature (TcII) and at this temperature the aerobic scope for the metabolism completely disappeared. In line with previous insight, the comparative analysis of the temperature dependence of Mo2 of Z. viviparus from different populations suggests that a pejus (sub-critical) temperature for this species is about 13-15 degrees C. In conclusion, the capacity to adjust aerobic metabolism relates to thermal tolerance and the bio-geographical distribution of the species. Global warming would thus be likely to cause a shift in the distribution of this species to the North.

Acclimatization↗
PubMed2005

How caterpillars avoid overheating: behavioral and phenotypic plasticity of pipevine swallowtail larvae.

We tested the hypothesis that larvae of the pipevine swallowtail butterfly, Battus philenor, employ behavioral and phenotypic plasticity as thermoregulatory strategies. These larvae are phenotypically varied across their range with predominantly black larvae (southeastern USA and California) and red larvae (western Texas, Arizona) occurring in different regions. Two years of field observations in south Texas indicate that the proportion of red larvae increases with increasing daily temperatures as the growing season progresses. Larvae were also observed to shift their microhabitats by climbing on non-host vegetation and avoided excessive heat in their feeding microhabitat. Larvae of ten half-sib families from populations in south Texas and California, reared under different temperature regimes in common garden experiments, exhibited plasticity in larval phenotype, with larvae from both populations producing the red phenotype at temperatures greater than 30 degrees C and maintaining the black phenotype at cooler temperatures. However, larvae from Texas were more tolerant of higher temperatures, showing no decrease in growth rate in the highest temperature (maximum seasonal temperature) treatment, compared to the California population. In a field experiment, black larvae were found to have higher body temperatures when exposed to sunlight compared to red larvae. These results suggest that microhabitat shifts and the color polyphenism observed in pipevine swallowtail larvae may be the adaptive strategies that enable larvae to avoid critical thermal maximum temperatures.

Adaptation, Physiological↗
PubMed2000

Endotoxaemia does not limit heat tolerance in rats: the role of plasma lipoproteins.

Severe hyperthermia disrupts the intestinal barrier, allowing bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPS) to enter the bloodstream. Since the symptoms of heat stroke resemble those of endotoxic shock, there is a common belief that endotoxaemia induces heat stroke. Therefore, we studied the effects of different doses, from moderate to sublethal, of Escherichia coli LPS and an antipyretic (indomethacin) upon the temperature equilibrium of the brain and body of rats exposed to a constant ambient temperature of 38 degrees C. The animals were then heated until they developed heat stroke, which was identified using a critical thermal maximum (CTM) behavioural test. In separate experiments on defence against endotoxaemia, we compared plasma lipid composition in rats exposed to a sublethal dose of LPS, hyperthermia and heat stroke. Neither LPS nor indomethacin, injected into rats while they were in a hyperthermic steady-state condition of 40-41 degrees C, influenced their thermal equilibrium. Unexpectedly, moderate doses of LPS significantly elevated the thermal tolerance of rats, such that the mean (SEM) CTM value of body temperature was raised from 42.7 (0.3) degrees C to 43.1 (0.1) degrees C (P < 0.05). Indomethacin and huge doses of LPS failed to induce any change in this parameter. The sublethal dose of LPS did not induce mortality in rats subjected to heat stroke. Hyperthermic steady-state conditions and heat stroke alone significantly decreased plasma concentrations of cholesterol, triglyceride and high-density lipoproteins, while the concentrations of low-density lipoproteins increased. A similar pattern of changes was recorded in normothermic rats injected with a sublethal dose of LPS. In conclusion, endotoxaemia in heat-stressed rats induces neither a secondary increase in their core temperature nor a decrease in their ultimate thermal tolerance. Low-density lipoproteins are likely to protect heat-stressed animals against endotoxin-induced death.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

Heart lesions in the frog at high environmental temperature.

Frogs (R. pipiens) adapted to 12 degrees C were exposed to increased environmental temperature during 2 hr. At 33 degrees C gross heart lesions started to appear in a few cases and at 37 degrees C, 71% of the frogs showed ventricular aneurysms and some died. Critical thermal maximum (CTM) was around 37 degrees C in autumn, winter and early spring, whereas in late spring and summer CTM was at 39 degrees C and during these last-mentioned periods of the year gross heart lesions at high temperature did not start until at 37 degrees C. After 2 hr at 37 and 39 degrees C respectively, ECG-abnormalities occurred indicating myocardial injury. Isolated strips of the heart ventricle from frogs with gross heart lesions showed a deteriorated resistance towards cyanide anoxia as measured by an isometric procedure. The ultrastructure was deranged by the high temperature, the changes mainly involving the mitochondria and the myofibrils. These alterations were focal but depletion of glycogen particles was diffuse. As the high temperature induced changes similar to those provoked by catecholamines, propranolol was given in some frogs before the heat exposure. This beta-adrenoceptor blockade did only reduce some of the abnormal changes by 37 degrees C.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Blood changes in Bufo cognatus following acute heat stress.

1. Various blood constituents were measured in an attempt to identify the effects of exposure of Great Plains toads to the critical thermal maximum (CTmax) and determine the time course of the onset of and recovery from these effects. 2. Tests for generalized tissue damage including serum glutamic-oxalacetic and glutamic-pyruvic transaminases (SGOT, SGPT), total protein and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) were unaffected by acute thermal stress. 3. Hematocrit, erythrocyte number, mean cell volume and hemoglobin concentration were also unchanged. 4. Blood glucose, lactic acid and creatine phosphokinase (CPK) levels all increased significantly. 5. Blood pH, PO2 and [HCO3-] also increased with acute heat stress while PCO2 decreased. 6. Long-term exposure to temperatures near the CTmax may cause severe tissue damage. Acute thermal stress does not appear to cause damage other than the short-term, reversible effects of strong physical exercise.

Acclimatization↗
PubMed1984

Decreased thermal tolerance in Mus musculus with melatonin and chlorpromazine.

Adult Mus musculus, previously acclimatized for two weeks to 25 degrees C and an LD 12:12 photoperiod, were injected (i.p.) with daily doses of melatonin (4.0 mg) or chlorpromazine (20.0 mg kg-1) for 2 days. Both drugs significantly reduced the critical thermal maximum (CTM) and the elevated defended temperature (EDT). Melatonin significantly increased the length of EDT but chlorpromazine had no effect on EDT. Both drugs reduce thermal tolerance in ectotherms, but this is apparently the first demonstration that melatonin and chlorpromazine increase sensitivity to high temperature in an endotherm.

Adaptation, Physiological↗
PubMed2006

Body temperature and resistance to evaporative water loss in tropical Australian frogs.

Although the skin of most amphibians measured to date offers no resistance to evaporative water loss (EWL), some species, primarily arboreal frogs, produce skin secretions that increase resistance to EWL. At high air temperatures, it may be advantageous for amphibians to increase EWL as a means to decrease body temperature. In Australian hylid frogs, most species do not decrease their resistance at high air temperature, but some species with moderate resistance (at moderate air temperatures) gradually decrease resistance with increasing air temperature, and some species with high resistance (at moderate air temperatures) abruptly decrease resistance at high air temperatures. Lower skin resistance at high air temperatures decreases the time to desiccation, but the lower body temperatures allow the species to avoid their critical thermal maximum (CT(Max)) body temperatures. The body temperatures of species with low to moderate resistances to EWL that do not adjust resistance at high air temperatures do not warm to their CT(Max), although for some species, this is because they have high CT(Max) values. As has been reported previously for resistance to EWL generally, the response pattern of change of EWL at high air temperatures has apparently evolved independently among Australian hylids. The mechanisms involved in causing resistance and changes in resistance are unknown.

Air↗
PubMed2005

Heat shock protein induction in the freshwater prawn Macrobrachium malcolmsonii: acclimation-influenced variations in the induction temperatures for Hsp70.

The intracellular build-up of thermally damaged proteins following exposure to heat stress results in the synthesis of heat shock proteins (Hsps). In the present study, the upper thermal tolerance and expression of heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) were examined in juveniles of the freshwater prawn Macrobrachium malcolmsonii that had been acclimated at two different temperatures, i.e. 20 degrees C (group A) and 30 degrees C (group B), in the laboratory for 30 days. Upper thermal tolerance was determined by a standard method. For heat-shock experiments, prawns in groups A and B were exposed to various elevated temperatures for 3 h each, followed by 1 h recovery at the acclimation temperature. Endogenous levels of Hsp70 were determined in the gill, heart, hepatopancreas and skeletal muscle tissues by Western blotting analysis of one dimensional sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). The critical thermal maximum (CT max) for prawns in groups A and B was 37.7+/-0.27 degrees C and 41.41+/-0.16 degrees C, respectively. In general, Western blotting analysis for Hsp70 revealed one band at the 70 kDa region, containing both constitutive (Hsc70) and inducible (Hsp70) isoforms, in the gill and heart tissues; these were not detected in the hepatopancreas and skeletal muscle tissues. The onset temperature for Hsp70 induction in both gill and heart tissues was 30 degrees C for prawns in group A and 34 degrees C for those in group B. The optimum induction temperatures (at which Hsp70 induction was maximum) were found to be 34 degrees C and 32 degrees C, respectively, in the gill and heart tissues of group A prawns, and 38 degrees C and 36 degrees C, respectively, for group B prawns. These results suggest that the temperature at which acclimation occurs influences both upper thermal tolerance and Hsp70 induction in M. malcolmsonii.

Acclimatization↗
PubMed2005

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons affect survival and development of common snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina) embryos and hatchlings.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are toxic compounds found in the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. We assessed the impact of PAHs and crude oil on snapping turtle development and behavior by exposing snapping turtle eggs from the Refuge and from three clean reference sites to individual PAHs or a crude oil mixture at stage 9 of embryonic development. Exposure to PAHs had a significant effect on survival rates in embryos from one clean reference site, but not in embryos from the other sites. There was a positive linear relationship between level of exposure to PAHs and severity of deformities in embryos collected from two of the clean reference sites. Neither righting response nor upper temperature tolerance (critical thermal maximum, CTM) of snapping turtle hatchlings with no or minor deformities was significantly affected by exposure to PAHs.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Environmental physiology of three species of Collembola at Cape Hallett, North Victoria Land, Antarctica.

The environmental physiology of three speciesof Collembola: Cryptopygus cisantarcticus, Isotoma klovstadi (Isotomidae) and Friesea grisea (Neanuridae) was investigated from November 2002 to February 2003 at Cape Hallett, North Victoria Land, Antarctica. All three species were freeze avoiding, and while supercooling points were variable on seasonal and daily scales in I. klovstadi and C. cisantarcticus, they remained largely static in F. grisea. LT50 (temperature where 50% of animals are killed by cold) was -13.6, -19.1 and -19.8 degrees C for C. cisantarcticus, I. klovstadi and F. grisea, respectively. Upper lethal temperature was 34, 34 and 38 degrees C for C. cisantarcticus, I. klovstadi and F. grisea. Critical thermal minimum onset (the temperature where individuals entered chill coma) was ca. -7, -12 and -8 degrees C for C. cisantarcticus, I. klovstadi and F. grisea, and 25% of I. klovstadi individuals froze without entering chill coma. Critical thermal maximum (the onset of spasms at high temperature) was 30, 33 and 34 degrees C for C. cisantarcticus, I. klovstadi and F. grisea. Haemolymph osmolality was approximately 720 mOsm for C. cisantarcticus and 680 mOsm for I. klovstadi, and both species showed a moderate degree of thermal hysteresis, which persisted through the season. Desiccation resistance was measured as survival above silica gel, and the species survived in the rank order of C. cisantarcticus<< I. klovstadi = F. grisea. Desiccation resulted in an increase in haemolymph osmolality in I. klovstadi, and water was quickly regained by desiccation-stressed individuals that had access to liquid water, but not by individuals placed in high humidity, indicating that this species is unable to absorb atmospheric water vapour. SDS-PAGE did not suggest any strong patterns in protein synthesis either seasonally or in response to temperature or desiccation stress. Microclimate temperatures were measured at sites representative of collection sites for the three species. Microclimate temperatures were highly variable on a diurnal and weekly scale (the latter relating to weather patterns), but showed little overall variation across the summer season. Potentially lethal high and low temperatures were recorded at several sites, and it is suggested that these temperature extremes account for the observed restriction of the less-tolerant C. cisantarcticus at Cape Hallett. Together, these data significantly increase the current knowledge of the environmental physiology of Antarctic Collembola.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Behavioral approach to the study of the upper limit of temperature tolerance in rats.

A simple test of critical thermal maximum (CTM) to assess a break-down of heat-escape behavior in rats is described. Experiments were performed on 18 unrestrained adult Wistar rats of both sexes. Hypothalamic and intraperitoneal (i.p.) temperatures as well as motor activity were simultaneously and continuously recorded in the rats exposed to heat. When animals were growing restless, as evidenced by an increase in their motor activity, which was usually recorded at hypothalamic temperatures well above 41 degrees C, we started testing CTM. To assess heat-escape behavior we used a precooled cooling bar (a part of a camp-cooler) which was placed at intervals in a climatic chamber. The hyperthermic rats, given the bar for 30 s, mounted it vigorously until they failed at particular levels of brain and body temperatures which were recognized as respective CTM values. Rapid external cooling of rats prevented lethal effects of the heat exposure. We were able to show effects of timing of heat exposure on heat tolerance. We also managed to detect small but significant differences in heat tolerance of warm-reared (an increase), cold-reared (a decrease), and bacterial-endotoxin-treated (an increase) rats. The heat-escape behavior was less heat-resistant than selective brain cooling response which was still present at CTM point. In conclusion, our CTM test is a safe and reliable way to study heat tolerance in rats.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Thermoregulatory behavior of the crayfish Procambarus clarki in a burrow environment.

The behavioral thermoregulation of the red swamp crayfish, Procambarus clarki, was investigated in its burrow environment. In the field, air and water temperatures within crayfish burrows fluctuated less compared with surface temperatures in the Mojave Desert. However, crayfish could still experience sub-optimal temperature regimes inside burrows. In the laboratory, P. clarki heated and cooled more rapidly in water than in air. In a thermal gradient, the crayfish selected a water temperature of 22 degrees C and avoided water temperatures above 31 degrees C and below 12 degrees C. Observations of behavior in an artificial burrow showed that P. clarki displayed three main shuttling behaviors between water and air in response to temperature. The number of bilateral emersions and emigrations, as well as the amount of time spent in air (in a 24 h period), were significantly greater at 34 degrees C than at 12, 16, 22 or 28 degrees C. This reflected an increased use of the behavioral thermoregulation at temperatures approaching the critical thermal maximum of this species. Upon migrating from 34 degrees C water into 38 degrees C air, crayfish body temperature decreased significantly. These periods of emersion were interspersed with frequent dipping in the water, allowing the crayfish to gain the benefits of evaporative cooling, without the physiological costs incurred by long-term exposure to air.

Air↗