Interactive effects of intracisternal oxytocin and other centrally active substances on colonic temperatures of mice.

Oxytocin (OXY) administered intracisternally to adult male mice produced a significant dose-related (1-4 micrograms) increase in colonic temperatures at an ambient temperature of 25 degrees C. The maximal rise in temperature occurred 30 min after administration of the peptide. The interactive effects on colonic temperature of central OXY with equimolar amounts of neurotensin, bombesin or beta-endorphin or of 2 2 mg/kg of chlorpromazine were investigated. OXY significantly antagonized the hypothermia produced by all of these substances. Pretreatment of mice with haloperidol or naloxone failed to prevent OXY-induced hyperthermia. The hyperthermic action of OXY and the interactive effects of OXY with other peptides on thermoregulation may be physiologically significant during parturition and lactation.