Some effects of intravenous prostaglandin E, and endotoxin in young chickens.

1 The effects of intravenous prostaglandin E1 and endotoxin were studied in young chickens (11-17 days old). 2 At a thermoneutral ambient temperature (31 degrees C), intravenous prostaglandin E1, produced behavioural and electrocortical sleep, increased oxygen consumption and, after an initial fall, elevated body temperature. Below thermoneutrality (16 degrees C), the initial hypothermic effect was more marked and oxygen consumption was lowered. 3 The soporific actions of prostaglandin E1 were sufficient to counteract dexamphetamine-induced behavioural and electrocortical arousal and vocalization. 4 Intravenous injection of the O-somatic antigen of Shigella dysenteriae evoked, after a latent period, long lasting hyperthermia. This indicates that in young chicks the blood brain barrier is probably permeable to endotoxins.