The purpose of this study was to examine the interaction between ambient temperature (Ta) and the effects of nickel chloride on the thermoregulatory system of the mouse. 2. Male mice of the BALB/c strain were injected with nickel chloride at dosages of 0, 0.1, 1.0, 2.5, 5.0 and 10.0 mg/kg intraperitoneally and placed in an environmental chamber set at a Ta of either 10, 20, 30 or 35 degrees C for 60 min. Colonic temperature was then measured after one hour of exposure at a given Ta. 3. The thermoregulatory effects of nickel chloride were highly dependent on Ta. Nickel chloride had no effect on body temperature at Ta's of 30 and 35 degrees C. 4. 10 mg/kg dosage of nickel chloride caused a significant reduction in colonic temperature at a Ta of 20 degrees C. At a Ta of 10 degrees C the 5 and 10 mg/kg dosages of nickel chloride caused a significant lowering of body temperature. 5. Using segmented linear regression techniques it was shown that the threshold dose of nickel chloride for causing hypothermia was 9.6 and 3.3 mg/kg at Ta's of 20 and 10 degrees C, respectively. 6. This study has shown that two stressors, low Ta and nickel chloride intoxication, when applied independently have no effect on body temperature; however, when applied simultaneously, they have a significant toxic effect on thermoregulation.
