Effects of arginine vasopressin on firing activity and thermosensitivity of rat PO/AH area neurons

► We verify that AVP excites warm-sensitive neurons in PO/AH by whole-cell patch clamp. ► AVP inhibits cold-sensitive neurons in PO/AH area. ► The proportions of AVP-excited and -inhibited temperature-insensitive neurons are almost same. ► AVP enhances the rate of depolarization prepotential in warm-sensitive neurons and reduces it in the others. ► AVP acts on PO/AH neurons by V1a vasopressin receptor at least.