Effects of thyrotropin releasing hormone on hypothalamic thermosensitive neurons of the rat

The actions of thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) were tested on the firing rat of temperature-sensitive and temperature-insensitive neurons in the rat preoptic/anterior area of the hypothalamus (POA). Iontophoretic application of TRH resulted in inhibition of the firing rate of temperature-insensitive, warm-sensitive and cold-sensitive neurons. The inhibitory response of cold sensitive neurons in TRH was relatively mild, however, and 2 of 6 of these neurons inhibited by TRH also displayed rebound increases in discharge rate following cessation of TRH application. These results parallel the hyperthermic effects of microinjected TRH and lend further support of the hypothesis that TRH acts as a neurotransmitter or neuromodulator in the POA portion of the CNS thermoregulatory network.