Abstract: [Abstract] Objective: The study was tried to investigate the alterations of heart and cerebral vessels after chronic cold exposure in mice. In the meantime, the pathological mechanisms were discussed as well. Methods: Male mice of ages from 90 to 180 d were used, and 60 mice were divided into control group and cold exposure group in random. Cold exposure group was fed at temperature from -1℃ and 4 ℃ for 30 days to make the chronic cold exposure model. Then, heart mass index was measured. Blood routine analyses were detected using blood cell analyzer, and the serum estrogen levels were detected by chemiluminescence method. The histological structure of cardiomyocytes was visualized with hematoxylin-eosin（H. E.）staining, and the cerebral vasculature was visualized with ink perfusion assay. Results: Chronic cold exposure could induce mouse’s myocardial hypertrophy and decrease the cerebral vascular density. The number of white blood cells, lymphocytes, red blood cells and blood platelet increased, and estrogen level of blood increased as well, which contributed to the pathological alterations of cardiovascular system. Conclusion: Chronic cold exposure could induce myocardial hypertrophy and the alterations of blood cells, cerebral vasculature and estrogen. The pathological alterations of blood cells, cerebral vasculature and estrogen are involved in the production of myocardial hypertrophy.

Key words: [Key words] Chronic cold exposure, myocardial hypertrophy, Cerebral vasculature, Estrogen, Mouse