Abstract
Summary
The influence of temperature on the maximum biliary excretion of bilirubin and sulfobromophthalein was studied in anesthetized rats and mice. Experimental techniques commonly employed in maximum biliary excretion studies were shown to significantly alter normal thermoregulatory mechanisms. A decrease in body temperature significantly decreased the bilirubin transport maximum in both rats and mice. A loss of body temperature in the rat also produced a significant decrease in the BSP transport maximum. In both rats and mice bile flow showed a diminution corresponding with the decrease in rectal temperature. The results emphasize the importance of monitoring body temperature during the course of experiments employing maximum biliary excretion as an endpoint.
The authors wish to acknowledge with gratitude the excellent assistance of Mrs. Sharon Shriver.
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