Hypothalamic monoamine contents in endotoxin fever of new-born guinea pigs and kittens.

In new-born guinea pigs and kittens Escherichia coli endotoxin did not significantly modify the hypothalamic level of either norepinephrine (NE) or 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT). The hypothalamic 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) content was significantly elevated in endotoxin-treated animals, but this elevation was confined to a period following the endotoxin injections by about 60 min in guinea pigs and 75-90 min in kittens.