Brain norepinephrine and serotonin in the golden hamster during heat and cold acclimation and hypothermia

1. Norepinephrine (NE) and serotonin (5-HT) were simultaneously assessed in 4 discrete regions of the brain of the golden hamster. 2. Hypothalamic concentrations of both these amines are reported for the following groups: (1) normothermic controls; (2) heat acclimated; (3) cold acclimated; (4) helium-cold hypothermic; (5) rewarming; and (6) rewarmed. 3. Heat acclimated animals demonstrated approximately 35 and 25% decreases from control values for NE and 5-HT, respectively. Cold acclimated hamsters were not significantly different from controls. Helium-cold hypothermia resulted in approximately a 30 and 20% decrease in NE and 5-HT, respectively, with the latter returning to control values during rewarming. 4. The data provide indirect evidence for the involvement of NE in central pathways involving heat gain and 5-HT in pathways involving heat loss, and are discussed in terms of FELBERG & MYER'S (1964 J. Physiol., Lond. 173. 226-236) bioamine theory of thermoregulation.