Objective: To study the temperature threshold of shivering during cryotherapy in hyperthermia rats, and to establish rat models with different degrees of shivering.
Method: Using 20% dry yeast suspension, heating male SD rats with a body weight (200±20) g and a basal body temperature of 36.8°C to 38.3°C. Select 40 rats that successfully developed a fever and divide them randomly. Exploratory cooling treatment was performed under the neck and arms of the hot rats for 30 minutes, using 4 groups of 10, 20, and 40 mL ice packs, with 10 animals in each group. The control group was not cooled. Observe the appearance of chills in rats and monitor the rectal temperature threshold of chills in rats.
Results: Within 30 minutes of cryotherapy, the rats in the control group and the 10 mL ice pack group had no chills; the rats in the 20 mL ice pack group had mild hair and head and neck tremors, and chills. In the absence of upper limb tremor or mild chills, the average anal temperature threshold is 37.25°C, and the incidence of mild chills is 100%. Rats in the 40 mL ice pack group had severe chills, erect hair, head, neck and limbs. The body and trunk tremble violently, the tail muscles become tense, the average anal temperature threshold for severe chills is 37.07°C, and the incidence of severe chills is 90%.
Conclusion: The use of ice packs for cooling intervention in hot rats can establish an ideal model to prevent chills, moderate chills and severe chills.