Effects of Bacterial Lipopolysaccharide on Plasma Corticosterone Concentrations and Body Temperatures of New Zealand Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus)

Twelve New Zealand rabbits were injected with Salmonella typhosa endotoxin, 10 ng/kg b.w. ,via an auricular marginal vein and the effects of the pyrogen on the rectal temperatures and plasma corticosterone concentrations of these animals were observed. Our data showed significant increases of the core temperatures from the normal 39.3 +/- 0.18 to 40.9 +/- 0.43 C (p \u3c 0.001). Radioimmunoassay results of the plasma corticosterone levels were 5.76 +/- 3.7 ug/100 ml in the pre-injection blood samples and 9.02 +/- 3.7 ug/100 ml in the plasmas obtained from the animals, one hour after the pyrogen was administered. The increase of corticosterone was significant (