Stimulation of DNA synthesis in rat liver and kidney by cold acclimation.

Exposure of adult Wistar female rats for 7 days to 4 degrees C leads to a marked increase in the weight of the liver and kidney, caused by an increased content of DNA and an increased number of cells in these organs. The weight as well as the DNA content of the cross-striated muscle do not change appreciably. Acclimation of the warmblooded rat to cold stimulates mitosis indirectly in cells capable of division, similarly as it stimulates directly the mitotic activity in mouse and human cells cultured and adapted to cold in vitro.