Ketoprofen-induced inhibition of symptoms of behavioural fever observed in wintering Planorbarius corneus (L.) (Gastropoda: Planorbidae)

Research on behavioural fever in Planorbarius corneus was undertaken using a longitudinal thermal gradient. Before the experiment, snails were acclimated at 19 degrees C. Following injections of lipopolysaccharide (LPS, a pyrogenic agent), ketoprofen (an antipyretic) or saline solution (control), thermal behaviour of the animals was automatically recorded for 48 h. The results demonstrated that LPS-induced symptoms of behavioural fever were inhibited by ketoprofen. Additionally, it was observed that snails which, before the injection of LPS, were preinjected with ketoprofen showed symptoms of behavioural fever with a 20-h delay. This result shows the inhibitory effect of ketoprofen on the occurrence of behavioural fever symptoms in P. corneus. It may suggest some similarity in mechanism of enhanced thermal preference in snails to vertebrate fever-both effectively inhibited by aspirin-like anti-inflammatory compounds.