Body temperature of rats after prostaglandins E2 and F2 alpha and their precursor.

Prostaglandins E2 and F2 alpha and arachidonic acid were injected into various brain structures outside the hypothalamus in rats. The body temperature rise induced by PGE2, but not by PGF2 alpha or arachidonic acid, was probably due to its diffusion or transport into the hypothalamus. Comparison of the latencies of the hyperthermic response to PGE2, PGF2 alpha, and arachidonic acid revealed that PGE2 was the most rapidly acting agent in structures located close to the hypothalamus. In contrast, arachidonic acid acted most rapidly after administration into the nucleus reticularis pontis caudalis.