Thermoregulatory effects of intracranial norepinephrine injections in goldfish.

Cannulas were implanted into forebrain loci of goldfish (Carassius auratus; 45-90 g) to determine the effects and site of action of intracranial norepinephrine (NE) injections on behavioral thermoregulation. Following 30 min in a thermal gradient, implanted fish were injected with norepinephrine-bitartrate salt (2.5-500 ng NE) in 0.2 microliter 0.7% NaCl. Injections of 5, 10, 25, and 50 ng NE into the anterior aspect of the nucleus preopticus periventricularis (NPP, Ref. 25) led to consistent dose-dependent decreases in selected temperature (Tsel). No effect on Tsel was observed following injections of 2.5 ng NE or control injections of 100 ng tartaric acid. The effects of injections into other loci, including intraventricular injections, were dependent on the dose and proximity to the anterior NPP; at sites adjacent to the anterior NPP, larger doses were required, and the effects became inconsistent. At sites further removed, no effect on Tsel was observed. Included in this category were more caudal sites within the NPP and the nucleus preopticus. We postulate that in fish the anterior NPP is an important locus for thermoregulatory integration and that increased release of NE in this area leads to the selection of cooler water.