Rat brain serotonin: biochemical and functional evidence for a sex difference.
Male and female rats were compared with respect to brain serotonin (5-HT) levels, synthetic capacity, receptor sensitivity, and CNS functions. Levels of whole brain 5-HT and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) were higher in females. The accumulation of 5-HT after treatment with the monoamine oxidase inhibitor pargyline alone and in combination with the 5-HT precursor L-tryptophan was greater in females than in males. 5-HT increased and 5-HIAA decreased to the same extent in both sexes after administration of the 5-HT agonist 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin (8-OH-DPAT). The temperature fall after all drug treatments was greater in females, but the "5-HT behavioural syndrome" was more pronounced in females merely after pargyline plus tryptophan; the behavioural response after 8-OH-DPAT did not differ between the sexes. These results are indicative of sex differences in the brain 5-HT neuronal systems. They are discussed in relation to differences between males and females in sexual behaviour, aggression and affective disorders.
M
M
Carlsson
K
K
Svensson
E
E
Eriksson
A
A
Carlsson
D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D001831:Body Temperature / Q000187:drug effects; D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology*; D001923:Brain Chemistry / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012701:Serotonin / Q000032:analysis / Q000502:physiology*; D012727:Sex Characteristics
D012701:Serotonin; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid