Effect of changing body temperature on the ventilatory and metabolic responses of lean and obese Zucker rats

We measured body temperature (T(b)) and ventilatory and metabolic variables in lean (n = 8) and obese (n = 8) Zucker rats. Measurements were made while rats breathed air, 4% CO₂, and 10% O₂. Under control conditions, T(b) in obese rats was always less than that of their lean counterparts. Obese rats adopted a more rapid, shallow breathing pattern than lean rats in air and had a lower ventilation rate in 4% CO₂. Respiration in 10% O₂ was similar for the two groups. Metabolic variables did not differ between lean and obese rats whatever the gas breathed. When lean rats were cooled to match T(b) in control obese rats with an implanted abdominal heat exchanger, they increased ventilation and metabolism in air; there was no effect of cooling on responses to 4% CO₂; and ventilation increased while metabolism decreased in 10% O₂. When obese rats were warmed to match T(b) in control lean rats, trends in ventilation and metabolism resulted in a tendency toward hyperventilation in air and 4% CO₂, but not in 10% O₂. Taken overall, matching T(b) in lean and obese rats accentuated differences in respiratory and metabolic variables between the two groups. We conclude that differences in respiration between lean and obese Zucker rats are not due to the difference in T(b).