Effects of sexual interactions on the in vivo rate of monoamine synthesis in forebrain regions of the male rat.
The effects of heterosexual interactions on the in vivo rate of regional brain monoamine synthesis were examined in the male rat. To this end, the animals were administered an inhibitor of cerebral aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase, NSD-1015 (100 mg.kg-1 i.p.), and regional brain DOPA and 5-HTP accumulation, over a 15-35 min period of sexual interaction, was compared with the DOPA or 5-HTP accumulation in time-matched home cage controls. Using the DOPA and 5-HTP accumulation as an estimate for the rate of tyrosine and tryptophan hydroxylase activity, respectively, the present results demonstrate: (1) an increased demand on catecholamine synthesis in the neocortex, the amygdala and in the septal area; and (2) an increased dopamine and serotonin synthesis in the ventral striatum (excluding the olfactory tubercle), and in the dorsal striatum.
Ahlenius
S
S
Department of Neuropharmacology, Astra Research Centre, Södertälje, Sweden.
Hillegaart
V
V
Hjorth
S
S
Larsson
K
K
D006916:5-Hydroxytryptophan / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D065105:Aromatic Amino Acid Decarboxylase Inhibitors; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D001931:Brain Mapping; D003307:Copulation / Q000502:physiology; D003342:Corpus Striatum / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D004295:Dihydroxyphenylalanine / Q000378:metabolism*; D004296:Dopa Decarboxylase / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006834:Hydrazines / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D009714:Nucleus Accumbens / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012701:Serotonin / Q000502:physiology; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*
D065105:Aromatic Amino Acid Decarboxylase Inhibitors; D006834:Hydrazines; D012701:Serotonin; D004295:Dihydroxyphenylalanine; C004297:3-hydroxybenzylhydrazine; D006916:5-Hydroxytryptophan; D004296:Dopa Decarboxylase