The Effect of Continuous Treatment with Reserpine on Body Temperature, Respiratory-Cardiovascular Functions and Heat Tolerance of the Hen

THE REACTIONS of the adult chicken to parenteral reserpine appear to be similar to those observed in other species (Sturkie et al., 1958). Reserpine treatment then may be expected to “protect” the fowl against various stresses, as it does other animals (Earl, 1956). A beneficial effect has in fact been indicated in pheasants and turkeys by reduced picking and mortality from fighting (Hewitt and Reynolds, 1957; Carlson, 1956), and in chickens by decreased mortality, increased egg production and improved egg quality during heat stress (Burger et al., 1957; Van Matre et al., 1957; Burger, 1959; Gilbreath et al., 1959). Some ambiguity, however, exists in connection with the doses used and the responses obtained. For example, the single intramuscular injection which Sturkie et al. (1958) used to produce tranquilization and to depress significantly body temperature, blood pressure, and heart rate were considered by them as probably incompatible with the health of …