Estrogenic effects on behavioral thermoregulation and body temperature of rats

Estradiol benzoate increases responding for heat reinforcement of ovariectomized female and intact and castrate male rats placed in the cold. In females, both pre- and postsession rectal temperatures are depressed by the steroid. The maintenance of low temperatures despite increased heat intake suggests that body temperature is regulated at a lower level as a result of estradiol-induced increases in heat loss or decreases in heat production.