Body temperature and 5-hydroxytryptamine during early postnatal maturation in mice.
A relationship between the maturational increases in body temperature and brain indoleamines has been explored through altering brain 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) content. Effects on body temperature at approximately constant ambient temperature (about 24 degrees C) have been studied following pharmacological manipulations in mice up to 16 days postpartum. Administration of 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) to increase 5-HT levels was associated with decreased body temperature throughout the maturational period. Depletion of 5-HT with p-chlorophenylalanine (p-CPA) was associated with increased body temperature at all ages studied, although 5-HT depletion was less effective in young animals than in older animals. The drug NSD-1034 acts at a different enzymatic step, and is effective in both central and peripheral tissues to reduce 5-HT and norepinephrine (NE) levels. NSD-1034 decreased body temperature up to 10 days of age; however, the effect was reversed at about 14 days, and the drug increased body temperature significantly in 16-day-old animals. These results suggest a role for 5-HT in the mechanisms of heat production in early postnatal life.
D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn / Q000254:growth & development*; D001831:Body Temperature / Q000187:drug effects; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism; D010134:Fenclonine / Q000494:pharmacology; D006834:Hydrazines / Q000494:pharmacology; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D012701:Serotonin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*
D006834:Hydrazines; D012701:Serotonin; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid; D010134:Fenclonine