Human vascular fluid responses to cold stress are not altered by cold acclimation

Repeated cold water immersion can induce the development of an insulative type of cold acclimation in man. This investigation determined if repeated cold water immersion produced changes in vascular fluid responses to cold stress in addition to the previously reported changes in thermoregulation. Seven male subjects performed a standardized cold air and cold water exposure before and again after a cold acclimation program. The cold acclimation program consisted of daily immersion (90 min) in cold water (18 degrees C, stirred) repeated 5 times/wk for 5 consecutive wk. Cold acclimation did not alter the responses of plasma volume or electrolyte concentrations, nor urinary flow or electrolyte excretion during either cold air or cold water exposure. The percent reduction in plasma volume was larger (P less than 0.01) in cold water (-17%) than in cold air (-12%). Cold water immersion resulted in greater (P less than 0.01) diuresis than cold air exposure. Plasma K+ concentration increased (P less than 0.01) during cold (both air and water) exposure, whereas plasma Na+ concentration was unchanged. Calculated renal clearance and urinary excretion rate of both Na+ and K+ increased during cold (both air and water) exposure. The magnitude of plasma volume reduction during cold exposure was not correlated with either the degree of body cooling or diuresis. It is concluded that a) insulative cold acclimation does not influence vascular fluid responses to cold stress, and b) although vascular fluid shifts, body cooling and diuresis are all greater in cold water than in air, a consistent relationship among these parameters could not be established for an individual's response.