Central effect of thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) on gastric acid output and mucosal blood flow (MBF) was examined in urethane anesthetized rats. TRH, microinjected into the dorsal vagal complex [the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus (NDV), the nucleus tractus solitarius and area postrema] induced dose-dependent (0.5-50 pmole) increases in gastric acid output and MBF. In contrast, 5 pmole TRH microinjected into various hypothalamic regions had no effect on these gastric parameters. Administration of TRH intraventricularly (i.c.v.) also increased these gastric parameters; however, about a 10 times higher dose of TRH was required to obtain the same order of excitatory effects seen with microinjection to the dorsal vagal complex. Application of anti-TRH serum to the dorsal vagal complex inhibited the increases in gastric acid output and MBF induced by TRH (i.c.v.). The effect of TRH applied to the dorsal vagal complex and i.c.v. were not modified by a concomitant administration of atropine. These results suggests that NDV is probably the site of action of TRH in inducing gastric hyper-functions. The mode of action of TRH seems to be independent of cholinergic muscarinic mechanisms present in the NDV.