Effect of indomethacin on LPS-induced fever and on hyperthermia induced by physical restraint in the silver fox ( Vulpes vulpes)

Abstract

1. 1. The effects of indomethacin on LPS-induced fever, and on hyperthermia induced by physical restraint, were investigated in the silver fox ( Vulpes vulpes). 2. 2. Base levels of deep body temperature ( T b) in undisturbed silver foxes measured with surgically implanted transmitters was 38.6°C (±0.1). 3. 3. Rectal temperature ( T re) five hours after treatment with LPS was 40.1°C (±0.1), indicating a febrile response. 4. 4. T re in all foxes (LPS + indomethacin: 39.5°C ± 0.1; indomethacin + vehicle: 39.2°C ± 0.1, or vehicle alone: 39.4°C ± 0.1) was elevated compared with base levels of T b. However, T re was within the range of T b in handled or physically restrained foxes (39.4°C ± 0.1 and 39.5°C ± 0.1, respectively), indicating that handling and restraint evoked a stress-induced hyperthermia (SIH). 5. 5. T re in foxes treated with LPS was significantly reduced when they were pretreated with indomethacin (39.5°C ± 0.1), and was within the range of T re of the controls, indicating an antipyretic effect of indomethacin. 6. 6. Indomethacin did not significantly attenuate the magnitude of SIH, indicating that SIH may not, or to a minor extent, be mediated by prostaglandins in silver foxes.