Relationship between the temperature and endocrine changes induced by cholinesterase inhibitors.

Cholinesterase inhibitors induce changes in plasma hormones in the rat. Since these compounds induce hypothermia the question has been raised as to whether the endocrine responses are secondary to the fall in core temperature. The time course of the changes in temperature and plasma levels of corticosterone, growth hormone and prolactin have been examined following injection of diisopropylphosphofluoridate (DFP), soman or physostigmine. All three cholinesterase inhibitors caused an initial rise in corticosterone; DFP decreased growth hormone; physostigmine reduced prolactin. The time course of the hypothermia after DFP and soman did not correlate with that of the rise in corticosterone. The data do not suggest that the hormone changes are secondary to the temperature change.