Effect of intraventricular injection of transmitter substances and temperature on autonomic functions of conscious sheep.

1. Changes in cardiovascular and renal functions following injection of noradrenaline, 5-hydroxytryptamine and carbachol into one lateral cerebral ventricle were investigated in conscious sheep at ambient air temperatures of 0 and 40 degrees C. The dose rates used were known to produce predictable changes in thermoregulation in sheep. 2. The changes in body temperature, respiratory frequency and shivering caused by the intracerebroventricular (I.C.V.) injections of noradrenaline, 5-hydroxytryptamine and carbachol were as reported previously. 3. The cardiovascular and renal responses of the sheep at both high and low ambient temperatures were consistent for each transmitter indicating that these activities had no major dependence on the type of thermoregulatory response. 4. I.C.V. injection of noradrenaline increased heart rate and decreased pulse pressure but caused no change in mean arterial blood pressure (B.P.). Urine flow rate, sodium clearance, potassium clearance and osmolal clearance were decreased whereas solute-free water reabsorption was unaltered. 5. I.C.V. injection of 5-hydroxytryptamine caused no significant alterations in either cardiovascular or renal function. 6. I.C.V. injection of carbachol increased systolic and diastolic B.P., heart rate and haematocrit. Sodium, potassium and osmolal clearances were increased after administration of carbachol. 7. The changes in renal function after noradrenaline and carbachol injection could be explained by the concurrent changes in cardiovascular function.