Effect of pentobarbitone on body temperature and sleeping time in albino rats

Abstract

Pentobarbitone sodium (PB), chloralose and urethane produced significant hypothermia and hypnosis in albino rats. PB-induced hypothermia and sleeping time were dose dependent. The hypothermic response of PB at low ambient temperatures was converted to biphasic and hyperthermic responses at 30 ± 1°C and 36± 1°C respectively. PB-induced sleeping time was not modified by different ambient temperatures. Tolerance to both hypothermia and sleeping time developed with PB by 2nd day. While PB-induced hypothermia did not register any difference between the two sexes, sleeping time was longer in females. The results thus suggest that temperature changes and consciousness are not interrelated and are probably the two different functions of the brain.