Effects of body temperature maintenance on glucose, insulin, and corticosterone responses to acute hypoxia in the neonatal rat.

One of the biggest challenges of premature birth is acute hypoxia. Hypothermia during acute hypoxic periods may be beneficial. We hypothesized that prevention of hypothermia during neonatal hypoxia disrupts glucose homeostasis and places additional metabolic challenges on the neonate.

Adrenocorticotropic hormone and corticosterone responses to acute hypoxia in the neonatal rat: effects of body temperature maintenance.

The corticosterone response to acute hypoxia in neonatal rats develops in the 1st wk of life, with a shift from ACTH independence to ACTH dependence. Acute hypoxia also leads to hypothermia, which may be protective. There is little information about the endocrine effects of body temperature maintenance during periods of neonatal hypoxia.