Heat-induced saliva secretion and thermoregulation in female rats with ventromedial hypothalamic lesions

Francis W. Flynn, Loren A. Evey, James C. Mitchell

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

13 Scopus citations

Abstract

A previous study demonstrated that ventromedial hypothalamic (VMH) lesions reduce basal saliva secretion in rats. This study examined the salivary response of female VMH rats to temperature. VMH rats displayed lower saliva secretion than control rats at ambient temperatures of 22°C, 31°C, 36°C, and 41°C. Control rats significantly increased saliva secretion when exposed to 36°C whereas VMH rats did not increase saliva secretion until an ambient temperature of 41°C. VMH rats had lower body temperatures than controls. Core body temperature of VMH rats at an ambient temperature of 41°C, 36°C, and 31°C was equal to that of controls at an ambient temperature of 36°C, 31°C and 22°C, respectively. When equated for body temperature, saliva secretion of VMH and control rats was not significantly different at high core body temperature. VMH rats salivated less than controls at lower core body temperatures.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)779-782
Number of pages4
JournalPhysiology and Behavior
Volume26
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - May 1981

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Experimental and Cognitive Psychology
  • Behavioral Neuroscience

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