Influence of heat exposure on the cerebral metabolism in infant rats.

Studies carried out on 96 Wistar newborn rats led to the following conclusions: the chronic exposure to heat (+40 degrees C), 10 min. daily, starting with day 1, induces a significant stimulation of 32P-incorporation into brain phospholipids (in 7-, 14-, and 21-day-old rats), into phosphoproteins (especially 14 days after birth), and into RNA and DNA (during the first 3 weeks after birth). The hypothalamic 32P-uptake is enhanced in 7- and 14-day-old rats. The authors discuss the biological significance of these findings.