Stimulation of ventromedial hypothalamus induces cold defense responses in conscious rabbits

The involvement of the ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH) in thermoregulatory responses, which include heat production and heat loss responses, was investigated by the method of electrical stimulation. Electrical stimulation of the VMH caused a rise in rectal temperature, accompanied by the enhancement of heat production: O2 consumption and shivering. In addition, a reduction in heat loss was observed, including decreases in skin temperature (Ts), respiratory rate, and body surface area resulting from a huddled posture. In this study, stimulation of the lateral hypothalamus and other regions near the VMH had no effect on thermoregulatory responses. beta-Blocker (propranolol, 1 mg/kg iv) injected 20 min before stimulation lessened O2 consumption by approximately 10% and attenuated the reduction in Ts during VMH stimulation, whereas alpha-blockade (phentolamine, 1 mg/kg iv) was ineffective. These results indicate that most of the increase in O2 consumption during VMH stimulation was due to the occurrence of shivering but that some component of it could be due to nonshivering thermogenesis. They also indicate that the VMH, either directly or by converging influences, is involved in the activation of thermoregulatory responses to cold stress.