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A role for natriuretic peptide in lipopolysaccharide-induced fever in Pekin ducks (Anas platyrhynchos): is natriuretic peptide an endogenous antipyretic in birds?

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Abstract

The febrile mechanism in all vertebrates involves endogenous molecules which mediate and attenuate the fever response. This mechanism is considered phylogenetically conserved, and the molecules are thought to be analogous in different species. The above notion is supported by evidence which show avian and mammalian fevers to have similar mediators. There is, however, a paucity of information regarding the modulators of the avian febrile response. Natriuretic peptides were shown to modulate mammalian fevers and, although natriuretic peptides are also present in birds, they have never been investigated in the context of fever. We induced fever in Pekin ducks with lipopolysaccharide and, at the same time, treated the animals with natriuretic peptide antiserum at a dose that effectively inhibited the known renal actions of endogenously secreted natriuretic peptide. We compared fever responses after ducks received either the antiserum or an appropriate control along with the lipopolysaccharide. The antiserum did not attenuate the fever responses of ducks. Our results differ from the results of a study in rats, which demonstrated natriuretic peptides to be potently antipyretic. This molecule seems to be antipyretic in mammals but not in ducks. We suggest a species variation regarding the ability of natriuretic peptides to modulate fever.

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Abbreviations

LPS:

Lipopolysaccharide

Iv:

Intravenous

Im:

Intramuscular

Anti-BNP:

Brain natriuretic peptide antiserum

NP:

Natriuretic peptide

DTRI:

Differential temperature response index

TRI:

Thermal response index

PG:

Prostaglandin

NO:

Nitric oxide

IL:

Interleukin

TNF:

Tumor necrosis factor

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Acknowledgments

The care provided for the animals by the Central Animal Service of the University of the Witwatersrand is gratefully appreciated. The procedures of this study were approved by the Animal Ethics Committee of the University of the Witwatersrand (application no: 2007/26/04).

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Correspondence to Manette Marais.

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Communicated by G. Heldmaier.

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Marais, M., Gray, D.A. A role for natriuretic peptide in lipopolysaccharide-induced fever in Pekin ducks (Anas platyrhynchos): is natriuretic peptide an endogenous antipyretic in birds?. J Comp Physiol B 179, 125–132 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00360-008-0295-3

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