Journal of Applied Physiology, Vol 38, Issue 6 969-973, Copyright © 1975 by American Physiological Society
Synergistic relationship of temperature, air, velocity, and mercury in the chicken
P. Thaxton, W. P. Yonushonis and G. R. Baughman
Juvenile chickens that had previously received mercuric chloride
intramuscularly were subjected to an acute exposure of high ambient
temperature in the presence or absence of a 140 mpm air velocity. This
level of mercury did not retard growth of affect the resting body
temperature. However, following heating the birds experienced a greater
hyperthermia than similarly heated controls and consequently thermal death
occurred earlier. When a high air velocity was maintained during heating
the hyperthermic condition was further amplified, as was the event of
thermal death. It is concluded that a synergistic relationship exists
between mercury, when administered at a nontoxic level, and the climatic
factors of temperature and air velocity.
