IMMUNE RESPONSE IN COLD EXPOSURE 



We are currently intensifying this phase of the investigation 

 in an attempt to obtain a much larger sample in order to reach a 

 definitive conclusion. More animals are necessary to lower the 

 standard error to an acceptable level, although population variation 

 here is small, and consequently, this initial estimate of serum 

 protein levels is statistically quite accurate. 



Paper Electrophoresis 



To date, a total of more than 350 serum samples have been 

 analyzed by paper electrophoresis. In addition, approximately 

 75 serum samples have been analyzed for glyco- protein content. 

 The results of these evaluations are not available at this time, 

 and are currently being statistically analyzed using the Fisher "t" 

 test by the General Electric computer center at Arizona State 

 University, 



DISCUSSION 



An evaluation of the data presented here concerning the effect 

 of "cold exposure" on the immune response of rabbits indicates 

 that any "differences" attributable to "cold" per se from both the 

 qualitative and quantitative aspects of immunity are of insufficient 

 magnitude to draw any definitive conclusions. 



A fundamental consideration in any investigation of this type 

 concerns what may be construed as "stress" conditions. Again 

 citing the work of Sutherland, Trapani, and Campbell (1958) the 

 rectal temperature of rabbits maintained at 4° C was not signifi- 

 cantly different from that of animals maintained at a room tempera- 

 ture of 18° C. In the studies reported here, however, a temperature 

 of 4° C was considered to be a condition of "stress" for rabbits 

 shaved of the bulk of their pelage. This assumption was sub- 

 stantiated by the fact that the animals tended to huddle, their skin 

 was cold to the touch, some shivering was observed, and a sig- 



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