A study of the physiological mechanisms contributing to neurotensin-induced hypothermia

Although central administration of neurotensin is known to produce marked hypothermia in the rat, there are no studies which have investigated the effects of neurotensin on oxygen consumption and heat exchange, the physiological mechanisms which are the principal contributors to changes in body temperature. We report a significant correlation between dose and the duration and degree of post-injection heat loss following central administration of neurotensin. Oxygen consumption does not appear to be affected by neurotensin. We suggest that it is this dose-dependent, post-injection heat loss which is responsible for neurotensin-induced hypothermia. Furthermore, the hypothermia does not appear to reflect a change in set point.