title: Concentration and metabolism of serotonin in selected brain areas during pregnancy and lactation in the rat.
abstract: Serotonin (5-HT) and its major metabolite, 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid (5-HIAA), were assayed in hypothalamus, hippocampus, and cortex during selected stages of pregnancy and lactation in the rat. No changes in 5-HT were observed in any of the brain areas analyzed. However, concentrations of 5-HIAA in hypothalamus and hippocampus, though not in cortex, showed marked changes during the immediate postpartum period. The significance of these changes is discussed in terms of possible hormone-neurotransmitter relationships.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism*; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000378:metabolism; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000378:metabolism; D007774:Lactation; D011247:Pregnancy; D011270:Pregnancy, Animal; D051381:Rats; D012701:Serotonin / Q000378:metabolism*; D014018:Tissue Distribution
chemical_list: D012701:Serotonin; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid