Acute effects of a monoamine oxidase inhibitor, tranylcypromine, on thermoregulation in the conscious rabbit.

1. The effect of a single injection of the monoamine oxidase inhibitor, tranylcypromine, administered intravenously (20 mg/kg) or into the lateral cerebral ventricle (5-10 mg), on hypothalamic and rectal temperature, has been investigated.2. Intravenous tranylcypromine causes a significant rise in body temperature, which is due, at least in part, to cutaneous vasoconstriction; this vasoconstriction is augmented by sympathectomy. It is concluded that this vasoconstrictor effect is not mediated via the central nervous system.3. Intraventricular tranylcypromine caused a transient but significant fall in core temperature. This is interpreted as being compatible with selective augmentation of hypothalamic levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine.