Effects on body temperature of prostaglandins of the A, E and F series on injection into the third ventricle of unanaesthetized cats and rabbits

Authors:
  • AMA. S. Milton
    A. S. Milton
  • SWSabine Wendlandt
    Sabine Wendlandt
Publisher website
Google Scholar
Abstract
1. Prostaglandins were injected into the third ventricle of unanaesthetized cats and rabbits whilst rectal temperature was recorded.2. In cats prostaglandin E1 and E2 (PGE1 and PGE2) produced hyperthermia which mostly began within a minute of injection and lasted 1 or more hours. With PGE1 the hyperthermia was shown to be dose dependent between 10 ng and 10 μg (2·8 × 10μ11 and 2·8 × 10−8 M). The hyperthermia was associated with vigorous shivering, skin vasoconstriction and piloerection. In several experiments a secondary rise in temperature occurred a few hours after the injection but such an effect was sometimes observed with control injections of 0·9% NaCl solution as well.3. None of the other prostaglandins (A1, F1α, F2α) examined in cats had an immediate or strong effect on temperature comparable to the hyperthermia produced by PGE1 and PGE2.4. In rabbits PGE1 (2 μg) also caused hyperthermia which began shortly after the injection and lasted for hours. PGF2α and PGA1, did not affect temperature.5. In cats it was seen that an intraperitoneal injection of 4‐acetamidophenol (paracetamol 50 mg/kg) did not affect the initial strong hyperthermia produced by PGE1 and PGE2 but abolished the secondary rise.6. The possibility is discussed that PGE1 plays a role as a central transmitter or modulator in temperature regulation.

This publication has 20 references indexed in Scilit: