Neonatal serotonin reduction alters the adult feminine sexual behaviour of golden hamsters.
HPLC analysis of hamster hypothalamic 5HT indicated higher levels in females than in males on day 12 after birth. Levels of 5HT and 5HIAA could be reduced in both sexes by pCPA administration. Male and female hamster pups were treated on days 1-7 or 7-14 after birth with either pCPA, 5HTP or buffer, and tested for feminine and masculine sexual behaviour in adulthood. 5HTP had no effect on behaviour in either sex. pCPA had no effect on masculine sexual behaviour nor did it affect feminine sexual behaviour when given between days 1-7. When administered on days 7-14, pCPA significantly decreased the time that females spent displaying feminine sexual behaviour, while significantly increasing it in males. We, therefore, suggest that serotonin may be modulating a neural substrate already differentiated by androgens.
Department of Anatomy, Glasgow University, U.K.
H M
HM
Johnston
A P
AP
Payne
D P
DP
Gilmore
C A
CA
Wilson
D000375:Aging / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D006224:Cricetinae / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D010134:Fenclonine / Q000494:pharmacology; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008647:Mesocricetus / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D012701:Serotonin / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects*
D012701:Serotonin; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid; D010134:Fenclonine