1 Parallel series of experiments were carried out in the rat and mouse in order to investigate the mechanism(s) underlying the hypothermia induced in rodents by the selective 5-HT1A receptor agonist, 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin (8-OH-DPAT).2 In the mouse, lesioning of central 5-hydroxytryptaminergic neurones (by use of the neurotoxin, 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine; 5,7-DHT) abolished the hypothermic response to 8-OH-DPAT, and depletion of brain 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) levels (with the 5-HT synthesis inhibitor, p-chlorophenylalanine) markedly attenuated the response in this species. These pretreatments did not significantly attenuate 8-OH-DPAT-induced hypothermia in the rat, except for a significant attenuation of the response in 5,7-DHTlesioned rats at the top dose of 8-OH-DPAT (1.0 mg kg-1, s.c.). 3 Pharmacological pretreatments which facilitate 5-HT release (selective 5-HT uptake inhibitors, precursor (5-hydroxytryptophan) loading, or fenfluramine), markedly attenuated or abolished 8-OH-DPATinduced hypothermia in the mouse. These pretreatments generally had no significant effect on 8-OH-DPAT-induced hypothermia in the rat. 4 The selective noradrenaline uptake inhibitor, desipramine, had no effect on the hypothermic response to 8-OH-DPAT in either species. The selective dopamine uptake inhibitor, nomifensin, significantly increased the hypothermic response to 8-OH-DPAT in the mouse, but did not affect the response in the rat except at high, motor stimulant doses, when the response was attenuated. 5 These data are consistent with the hypothesis that 8-OH-DPAT-induced hypothermia is mediated by presynaptic autoreceptors in the mouse and by postsynaptic 5-HTIA receptors in the rat. Preliminary data also indicate an involvement of dopamine release in the mouse but not in the rat.