Acute cold exposure increases the glucagon sensitivity of thermogenic metabolism in the rat.

Administration of glucagon to rats at 25 degrees C had no effect upon their VO2, while administration of noradrenaline or noradrenaline plus glucagon raised the VO2. At 5 degrees C, noradrenaline had no effect upon the cold-enhanced VO2, while glucagon caused a rise of 13.7%, implying increased glucagon sensitivity at 5 degrees C. The glucagon-induced enhancement of VO2 was abolished by concurrent administration of noradrenaline.