CURRENT STUDIES IN THERMOREGULATION

The aim of this review is to present recent advances in the understanding of the physiological mechanisms of thermoregulation in mammals, which can be divided into two types including reflex (or autonomic) and behavioral thermoregulation. In reflex thermoregulation, which is totally beyond the volun...

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Main Author: Alfredo Jesús López Dávila
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Universidad de Costa Rica 2014-12-01
Series:Pensar en Movimiento
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.revistas.ucr.ac.cr/index.php/pem/article/view/14918
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author Alfredo Jesús López Dávila
author_facet Alfredo Jesús López Dávila
author_sort Alfredo Jesús López Dávila
collection DOAJ
description The aim of this review is to present recent advances in the understanding of the physiological mechanisms of thermoregulation in mammals, which can be divided into two types including reflex (or autonomic) and behavioral thermoregulation. In reflex thermoregulation, which is totally beyond the voluntary control of the individual, thermoreceptors detect thermal stimuli. Afferent pathways transport information sensed by receptors to the hypothalamus, with relays in the spinal cord and the midbrain. The hypothalamic integration center coordinates its response to the thermal stimuli and sends neural signals through efferent pathways with relays in the medulla and the spinal cord. These signals finally reach effectors that are capable of conserving or dissipating thermal energy in order for body temperature to remain constant. Today, a growing body of evidence suggests considerable physiologic integration between reflex thermoregulation, energy balance and metabolism, which makes considering manipulation of reflex thermoregulation a potential strategy in order to treat metabolic conditions or influence body composition. In behavioral thermoregulation, which relies on voluntary decisions, thermal stimuli are detected by the same receptors. Afferent pathways transport thermal information to the spinal cord, thalamus and cerebral cortex, which influences the perception of thermal comfort and the decisions of the individual in order to gain or lose heat. The recent findings have also brought new questions that are discussed at the end of this review.
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spelling doaj.art-d1827f5a83614286bc2839a385abafd72025-01-02T23:31:11ZengUniversidad de Costa RicaPensar en Movimiento1409-07241659-44362014-12-0112213610.15517/pensarmov.v12i2.1491816212CURRENT STUDIES IN THERMOREGULATIONAlfredo Jesús López Dávila0Universidad de Costa RicaThe aim of this review is to present recent advances in the understanding of the physiological mechanisms of thermoregulation in mammals, which can be divided into two types including reflex (or autonomic) and behavioral thermoregulation. In reflex thermoregulation, which is totally beyond the voluntary control of the individual, thermoreceptors detect thermal stimuli. Afferent pathways transport information sensed by receptors to the hypothalamus, with relays in the spinal cord and the midbrain. The hypothalamic integration center coordinates its response to the thermal stimuli and sends neural signals through efferent pathways with relays in the medulla and the spinal cord. These signals finally reach effectors that are capable of conserving or dissipating thermal energy in order for body temperature to remain constant. Today, a growing body of evidence suggests considerable physiologic integration between reflex thermoregulation, energy balance and metabolism, which makes considering manipulation of reflex thermoregulation a potential strategy in order to treat metabolic conditions or influence body composition. In behavioral thermoregulation, which relies on voluntary decisions, thermal stimuli are detected by the same receptors. Afferent pathways transport thermal information to the spinal cord, thalamus and cerebral cortex, which influences the perception of thermal comfort and the decisions of the individual in order to gain or lose heat. The recent findings have also brought new questions that are discussed at the end of this review.http://www.revistas.ucr.ac.cr/index.php/pem/article/view/14918termoregulaciónmetabolismoobesidadtemperatura corporalfisiología del ejercicio
spellingShingle Alfredo Jesús López Dávila
CURRENT STUDIES IN THERMOREGULATION
Pensar en Movimiento
termoregulación
metabolismo
obesidad
temperatura corporal
fisiología del ejercicio
title CURRENT STUDIES IN THERMOREGULATION
title_full CURRENT STUDIES IN THERMOREGULATION
title_fullStr CURRENT STUDIES IN THERMOREGULATION
title_full_unstemmed CURRENT STUDIES IN THERMOREGULATION
title_short CURRENT STUDIES IN THERMOREGULATION
title_sort current studies in thermoregulation
topic termoregulación
metabolismo
obesidad
temperatura corporal
fisiología del ejercicio
url http://www.revistas.ucr.ac.cr/index.php/pem/article/view/14918
work_keys_str_mv AT alfredojesuslopezdavila currentstudiesinthermoregulation