Effect of cold stress on gallbladder contractility in humans.

The effect of cold stress in the form of repeated hand immersion in ice cold water or repeated application to a hand of extremely cold - nitrogen gas, at a temperature of -180 degrees C (93 K), on the emptying of a meal-stimulated gallbladder was examined in seven healthy volunteers of both sexes. The control procedure consisted of repeated application to a hand of air at neutral temperatures (+35 degrees(-)+37 degrees C). Each subject underwent three examinations on separate days, the procedures being applied in random order.