Rat brain monoamine and Serotonin S2 receptor changes during pregnancy.
The concentrations of noradrenaline (NA), dopamine (DA), serotonin (5-HT), and their metabolites were determined in 5 brain areas of non-pregnant, 15 and 20 day pregnant and 4 day post-partum rats. Striatal 5-HT content was significantly lower in 15 and 20 day pregnant rats than in estrous controls. A significant decrease in striatal and frontal cortex 5-hydroxyindole-3-acetic acid (5-HIAA) concentration was observed in 15 day pregnant rats. Significant increases in hypothalamic and hippocampal NA levels were observed at 4 days post-partum. Frontal cortex serotonin S2 receptor KD was reduced in 4 day post-partum rats. There was no significant change in S2 receptor Bmax during pregnancy. Levels of progesterone were negatively correlated with striatal DA, homovanillic acid (HVA), 5-HT, and 5-HIAA levels, hypothalamic DA, hippocampal 5-HT, and frontal cortex 5-HIAA values as well as striatal HVA to DA, and HVA to 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) ratios and amygdaloid HVA to DOPAC ratios. The limbic neurotransmitter changes might possibly contribute to mood changes which occur during pregnancy and post-partum.
Glaser
J
J
MRC Research Unit for the Neurochemistry of Mental Diseases, Department of Chemical Pathology, University of Stellenbosch, Tygerberg Hospital, R.S.A.
Russell
V A
VA
de Villiers
A S
AS
Searson
J A
JA
Taljaard
J J
JJ
D015102:3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001679:Biogenic Amines / Q000378:metabolism*; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism*; D003345:Corticosterone / Q000097:blood; D004298:Dopamine / Q000378:metabolism; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D004971:Estrus / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006719:Homovanillic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000378:metabolism*; D009928:Organ Specificity; D049590:Postpartum Period / Q000378:metabolism; D011247:Pregnancy; D011270:Pregnancy, Animal / Q000378:metabolism*; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin / Q000378:metabolism*; D012701:Serotonin / Q000378:metabolism*
D001679:Biogenic Amines; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin; D015102:3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic Acid; D012701:Serotonin; D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol; D004298:Dopamine; D003345:Corticosterone; D009638:Norepinephrine; D006719:Homovanillic Acid