Liver heat production and temperature regulation in the anesthetized dog.

Liver heat production (LHP) was measured in the anesthetized dog by a new calorimetric method. Blood flows and temperatures were measured at the same points. The method avoided damage of liver innervation and vascularization. Changes of LHP were investigated under different thermal conditions. Measurements at controlled arterial temperatures within the physiological range showed changes of LHP when arterial temperature was randomly increased or decreased. When measured LHP was compared in experiments carried out at different ambient temperatures, a negative linear correlation was found between LHP and the ambient temperature. It was concluded that liver heat production may be a factor in temperature regulation.