Influence of hypercapnia on certain aspects of heat exchanges at room temperature in the rabbit

Heat production as well as heat loss from the surface of the ear and airways during and after hypercapnia induced by one hour inhalation of 10% mixture was studied in conscious rabbits. The arterial CO2 tension increased by about 45 mm Hg and pH fell by about 0.3. These changes were associated with decreasing of heat production while heat loss from the ears and airways increased significantly. Consequently the rectal temperature fell meanly by about 0.9 degrees C. The data show that fall of body temperature in the rabbits exposed on 10% CO2 at room temperature is due both to heat production changes and heat loss changes.