title: On the occurrence of 5-methoxytryptamine in brain.
abstract: A quantitative gas chromatography-mass spectrometry method has been used to determine 5-methoxytryptamine (5-MT) in the CNS and pineal gland of various species. The mean +/- S.D. levels of 5-MT in sheep, pig and cow pineal glands was 545 +/- 180, 228 +/- 119 and 117 +/- 48 pmol/g, respectively. The postmortem levels of 5-MT in the pig pineal gland was stable for 2 h after death but decreased by more than 90% 24 h after death. In the CNS, 5-MT was found only in the sheep hypothalamus (28 +/- 4 pmol/g). Analysis of the rat pineal gland and CNS failed to detect any 5-MT at the limit of sensitivity of the method which is at variance with previously reported results.
mesh_terms: D008735:5-Methoxytryptamine / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism*; D002417:Cattle; D002849:Chromatography, Gas; D005260:Female; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D013058:Mass Spectrometry; D008636:Mesencephalon / Q000378:metabolism; D010870:Pineal Gland / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D012756:Sheep; D013552:Swine; D014363:Tryptamines / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D014363:Tryptamines; D008735:5-Methoxytryptamine