The effect of low temperature on the pressor response to noradrenaline in a hibernating (hedgehog) and a nonhibernating mammal (rat)

Abstract

Hypothermia was found to affect the α-adrenoceptor in the resistance vessels differently in the hibernating and in the nonhibernating mammalian species. Low temperature increased the affinity for NA in the rat, while the efficacy of NA was reduced. In the hedgehog no changes were observed either in affinity or efficacy, suggesting that the regulation of the vascular smooth muscle by the sympathetic nervous system may be independent of temperature in the hibernators.