Modulating effect of body temperature on the toxic response produced by the pesticide chlordimeform in rats

Previous studies from this laboratory have demonstrated significant deficits in cardiovascular function in rats exposed to the pesticide chlordimeform (CDM) when body core temperature (T co ) was maintained at 37°C. To investigate the role T co on CDM toxicity, similar experiments were conducted over a range of T co values. Adult rats (n = 30) were anesthetized with sodium pentobarbital (35 mg/kg) and randomly assigned to one of six equal groups. Groups were paired and T co was maintained in the rats in each of the respective group pairs at one of three levels (37, 35, or 33°C). Rats in one group at each temperature level (groups 737, T35, and T33) were injected intraperitoneally with 60 mg/kg of CDM. Animals in the corresponding temperature‐matched groups (groups C37, C35, and C33, respectively) received volume‐matched injections of normal saline vehicle and served as time‐paired controls. The electrocardiogram and heart rate (HR) were monitored throughout the experimental procedure. There was a signific...