Effects of intraperitoneal and intracerebral injections of Triiodothyronine on temperature selection in fish

Goldfish (Carassius auratus) of 15-28g were maintained at 23 C and subsequently were intraperitoneally injected with saline (controls) and varying doses of Triiodothyronine (T3). Following the injection, the fish were placed in a thermal gradient and temperature selection and activity monitored for 30 min. There was no- significant difference between the responses of the experimental fish to the 2 different doses of T3. However, there was a significant difference in response between the experimental and control groups (P \u3c 0.001). The decreased temperature selection occurred early in the test runs, while the increased activity began later. Larger goldfish (175-205g) received 0.5 μl intracerebral injections of 1.5-3.0 ng T3 in the anterior brainstem via an indwelling cannula injection system. These fish responded to the injections by selecting cooler water. The magnitude of the response was related to the distance of the injection site from the preoptic/anterior hypothalamic region. I conclude that increased plasma levels of T3 lead to the selection of cooler water. This effect appeared to be mediated via the anterior brainstem. Injected T3 also produced hyperactivity. This latter effect developed more slowly and appeared to be more diffusely mediated