On the Cold Adaptation

Abstract

To investigate the cold adaptability, standard techniques including both methods of local and/or general stimuli were established and introduced by WEINER and LOURIE. The results obtained by this kind of study are of values from the practical as well as the theoretical point of view. The word adaptatin mentioned above is sometimes distinguished from the words, adjustment, acclimatization and acclimation, but it will be used here in the most comprehensive way. As for the types of adaptation, mainly four types such as morphological, biochemical and artificial adaptations can be distinguished.One of the outcomes of cold adaptation is the increase of metabolic heat production and the other is the decrease of heat loss from the body surface. As for the local index of cold tolerance, the parameters of a vasomotor reaction can be used. In this case, it is usually considered that the larger the hunting reaction due to the cold stress, the stronger the local cold tolerance.As for the biochemical adaptation, hormonal secretions caused by thyroid and suprarenal reactions play very important roles. The changes of metabolisms of free fatty acid, amino acid and glucose are also noticed.In the case of humans, the adaptation can be achieved by behavior, clothing, housing and heating. These artificial adaptations are sometimes intentionally devised on a very specialized way. When the stress over a limit of cold tolerance is applied, diseases or death will take place. After all, the living in the cold such as antarctic area is also recently becoming possible by physiological and artificial adaptation.