Comparative effects of hypoxia on behavioral thermoregulation in rats, hamsters, and mice

Recent studies using reptiles and other ectothermic species have shown that hypoxia lowers the set point for the control of body temperature. This is characterized by a preference for cooler ambient (Ta) and deep body temperatures (Tb) when placed in a temperature gradient. To elucidate the presence of this effect in mammals, the selected Ta and Tb of three rodent species (mouse, hamster, and rat) were measured while subjected to graded hypoxia in a temperature gradient. Individual animals were placed in the gradient for 30 min. Oxygen content of air entering the gradient was then reduced to a constant level for a period of 60 min by dilution with nitrogen. Tb was significantly reduced in all species at %O2 levels of 5.5-10%. Selected Ta was significantly reduced in the mouse at %O2 levels of 5.5 and 7.3%. Selected Ta of the hamster and rat were reduced slightly at %O2 levels of 5.8 and 7.4%, respectively; however, the effect was not statistically significant. To clarify the effects of hypoxia in these two species, the sample size of rat and hamster was increased to strengthen statistical analysis, and the animals were exposed for 60 min to %O2 levels of 7.4 and 6.7%, respectively. Both species exhibited a significant reduction in selected Ta during hypoxia concomitant with hypothermia. These data support the hypothesis that hypoxia lowers the set point for the control of body temperature in rodents.