Is hypothalamic prostaglandin E2 involved in avian fever?

In chickens, the effect of Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on body temperature and ex vivo hypothalamic prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production was examined to test the possible involvement of PGE2 in mechanisms of avian fever. PGE2 is reported to be the major central mediator of fever in mammals; it has not been examined in birds. An intraperitoneal injection of LPS caused an elevation of body temperature but not an elevation of hypothalamic PGE2 production. It seems that: (a) hypothalamic PGE2 is not involved in the development of the febrile response in birds; (b) central mechanisms of avian fever differ from those in mammals.