Body temperature responses at different ambient temperatures following injections of prostaglandin E 1 and noradrenaline into the brain

• Published in: Pharmacology, biochemistry and behavior Vol. 4; no. 2; pp. 143 - 150
• Main Authors: Veale, W.L., Whishaw, I.Q.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Inc 1976
• Subjects: Ambient temperatures; Chemical stimulation of brain; Noradrenaline; Prostaglandin fever; Temperature regulation; thermoregulation; Ambient temperatures; Chemical stimulation of brain; Temperature regulation; Prostaglandin fever; Noradrenaline; thermoregulation
• ISSN: 0091-3057; 1873-5177
• DOI: 10.1016/0091-3057(76)90006-X

Since prostaglandins of the E series have been implicated in the production of fever by pyrogens, we have applied them directly to the anterior-hypothalamic preoptic area of uunanesthetized rats at various ambient temperatures. In this paper we have determined accurately the region of the brain of the rat from which temperature responses can be produced by local injection. In addition we present evidence to suggest that the responses to local injections of PGE 1 are relatively unaffected by environmental temperatures, whereas those in response to injections of noradrenaline are influenced by ambient temperature. These results are discussed in light of similar findings with respect to the response to pyrogens in that it is relatively unaltered by ambient temperature. This work lends further support to the hypothesis that pyrogens act in the hypothalamus by releasing prostaglandins.