Although central administration of neurotensin is known to produce mar
ked hypothermia in the rat, there are no studies which have investigat
ed the effects of neurotensin on oxygen consumption and heat exchange,
the physiological mechanisms which are the principal contributors to
changes in body temperature. We report a significant correlation betwe
en dose and the duration and degree of post-injection heat loss follow
ing central administration of neurotensin. Oxygen consumption does not
appear to be affected by neurotensin. We suggest that it is this dose
-dependent, post-injection heat loss which is responsible for neuroten
sin-induced hypothermia. Furthermore, the hypothermia does not appear
to reflect a change in set point.