Room Temperature in Scientific Protocols and Experiments Should be Defined: a Reproducibility Issue

Abstract

Role of temperature in biological systems & experimentsBroadly, many biological and chemical processes depend on temperature, behaving optimally in a narrow temperature range but erratically outside those optimal ranges. Mildly extreme temperatures, either as supra-or super-optimal temperatures, can act as cold or heat stress factors for living organisms.Some biological processes are dependent on temperature to some degree, including enzyme kinetics, microbial growth, the level/speed of RNA degradation in stored seeds and the effectiveness of DNA hybridization [1][2][3][4]. Dewpoint temperature is positively correlated with relative humidity (RH), with an approximate increase by 1 • C with a 5% increase in humidity, so air RH also affects temperature and vice versa [5].

Reporting Data on Auditory Brainstem Responses (ABR) in Rats: Recommendations Based on Review of Experimental Protocols and Literature

“…In the submitted protocols, no differences were reported between temperature in the animal facility and experimental room. However, the term “room temperature” is somewhat flexible and might mean different temperatures, and the fluctuations in RT should be considered a confounding factor [ 68 ]. When air-conditioning does not control the temperature, RT might fluctuate depending on the geographical location and seasonal changes.…”

“…When air-conditioning does not control the temperature, RT might fluctuate depending on the geographical location and seasonal changes. As a result, conducting experiments in temperature-uncontrolled conditions might affect the outcome reproducibility [ 68 ]. Due to that, the room temperature should be measured and reported.…”

Universal Recommendations on Planning and Performing the Auditory Brainstem Responses (ABR) with a Focus on Mice and Rats

“…The reasons for excluding an animal from the analysis should be recorded in the protocol. Room temperature variations should also be considered a confounding factor [ 121 ]. Detailed experimental records can help quickly identify the source of variability between animals, especially differences between animals during the same experiments [ 65 ].…”