The effect of hypothermia on exocrine pancreatic secretion in rabbits

The effects of experimentally induced hypothermia on exocrine pancreatic secretion in rabbits were investigated. During hypothermia the flow of pancreatic juice decreased to 50% of basal values and recovered after rewarming. Hypothermia scarcely affected HCO-3, Cl- and Na+ concentrations but did cause significant alterations in K+ concentrations. During hypothermia and later normothermia a parallel secretion in the enzymes amylase, chymotrypsin and trypsin was seen to take place. Enzyme secretion decreased throughout the experimental period in the rabbits undergoing hypothermia and later normothermia, as in the case of the control animals.