Arginine vasopressin and endogenous antipyresis: evidence and significance.
A central nervous system pathway appears to exist that can suppress fevers in near-term females and their newborn, as indicated by sheep and guinea pig experiments. This same fever-modulating pathway may control febrile rises in body temperature under normal circumstances. Arginine vasopressin (AVP) may function as a neurotransmitter in this pathway, and evidence for such a role is presented. The significance of a system that negatively modulates fever is discussed from the point of view of the near-term female and newborn, and from the point of view of the normal control of fever.
D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D001127:Arginine Vasopressin / Q000502:physiology*; D001833:Body Temperature Regulation; D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005334:Fever / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D000860:Hypoxia / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D007109:Immunity; D011663:Pulmonary Surfactants / Q000502:physiology; D012756:Sheep
D011663:Pulmonary Surfactants; D001127:Arginine Vasopressin