Thermal salivation in rats, anesthetized with barbiturates, chloralose, urethane and ketamine

1. The relationship between thermal salivation (TS) and thermoregulation was studied in anesthetized rats. 2. Of the 6 anesthetics used, ketamine-anesthetized rats secreted the largest amount of saliva. Salivation, however, was thermal and not induced by ketamine itself. 3. Ketamine-anesthetized rats readily secreted saliva at core temperatures less than 40 degrees C but TS was remarkably enhanced by hyperthermia of 40-42.5 degrees C. 4. The equilibrium phase in the triphasic heat response of core temperature was a consequence of equilibrium between heat gain and heat loss by salivation.