Thermoregulatory responses to preoptic cooling in unrestrained rabbits.

MCEWEN, G. N.,JR., AND J. E. HEATH. Thermoregulatory responses to preoptic cooling in unrestrained rabbits. 227 (4) : 954-957. 1974.Rabbits at ambient temperatures within the thermal neutral zone show two different metabolic responses to preoptic cooling. One response type is defined by a preoptic thermal sensitivity that shifts with ambient temperature and a “set point” that remains constant. The other response type is defined by a set point that shifts with ambient temperature and a preoptic thermal sensitivity that remains constant. Both response types can be modeled by a single equation. Nonmetabolic thermoregulatory responses are not significantly different between the two response types.