Direct evidence of short-term cold-induced TRH release in the median eminence of unanesthetized rats.

IR-TRH release in the median eminence was directly estimated in conscious rats during the first 130 min of exposure to cold (4 degrees C), using a push-pull cannulation. A three-fold increase in IR-TRH release was observed, with a peak of 10.00 +/- 2.19 pg/15 min occurring 40 min after exposure to cold; control rats, left at 24 degrees C, stayed at the baseline secretion rate of 3.40 pg/15 min which was the sensitivity limit of the RIA assay.