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Some effects of intravenous prostaglandin E, and endotoxin in young chickens
Insights
Prostaglandin E1 induces sleep and alters temperature in young chickens. Endotoxins cause fever, suggesting young chicks have a permeable blood-brain barrier to endotoxins.
Area of Science:
- Physiology
- Neuroscience
- Immunology
Background:
- Prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) is involved in thermoregulation and sleep.
- Endotoxins can trigger immune responses and fever.
- The blood-brain barrier's permeability in young animals is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of prostaglandin E1 on young chickens.
- To examine the impact of endotoxin on young chickens.
- To assess the blood-brain barrier permeability in young chickens.
Main Methods:
- Intravenous administration of prostaglandin E1 and endotoxin to young chickens (11-17 days old).
- Experiments conducted at thermoneutral (31°C) and below thermoneutral (16°C) temperatures.
- Observation of behavioral, electrocortical, thermoregulatory, and respiratory responses.
Main Results:
- Prostaglandin E1 induced sleep, increased oxygen consumption, and elevated body temperature at thermoneutrality.
- Prostaglandin E1 caused hypothermia and lowered oxygen consumption at lower ambient temperatures.
- Endotoxin injection led to prolonged hyperthermia after a latent period.
- Prostaglandin E1 counteracted dexamphetamine-induced arousal and vocalization.
Conclusions:
- Prostaglandin E1 exhibits complex thermoregulatory and sleep-inducing effects in young chickens.
- Young chickens likely possess a permeable blood-brain barrier to endotoxins.
- These findings contribute to understanding avian physiology and neuroimmunology.
Abstract:
1 The effects of intravenous prostaglandin E1 and endotoxin were studied in young chickens (11-17 days old). 2 At a thermoneutral ambient temperature (31 degrees C), intravenous prostaglandin E1, produced behavioural and electrocortical sleep, increased oxygen consumption and, after an initial fall, elevated body temperature. Below thermoneutrality (16 degrees C), the initial hypothermic effect was more marked and oxygen consumption was lowered. 3 The soporific actions of prostaglandin E1 were sufficient to counteract dexamphetamine-induced behavioural and electrocortical arousal and vocalization. 4 Intravenous injection of the O-somatic antigen of Shigella dysenteriae evoked, after a latent period, long lasting hyperthermia. This indicates that in young chicks the blood brain barrier is probably permeable to endotoxins.