Effects of prenatal 5-methoxytryptamine and parachlorophenylalanine on serotonergic uptake and behavior in the neonatal rat.
Parachlorophenylalanine (pCPA) or 5-methoxytryptamine (5MT) was administered to pregnant Sprague Dawley rats from day 8 (D8) of gestation till D17 and from D12 until birth respectively. Birth weights of both drug groups of neonates were approximately 20% less than the saline-injected controls. 5MT neonates showed a significant reduction of high affinity 3H-5HT uptake in the brainstem at all three time points: D1, D15, D30, and a slight reduction in the forebrain reaching significance only on D30. The pCPA animals showed a significant reduction in the brainstem and forebrain on D1 and D30, but only a small nonsignificant reduction in both areas on D15. Behaviors measured on day 15 revealed that in general activity, spontaneous alternation, and passive avoidance both drug groups of neonates showed deficits: less activity, less alternation, and less avoidance.
Shemer
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Department of Biology, New York University, NY 10003.
Whitaker-Azmitia
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Azmitia
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D008735:5-Methoxytryptamine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D001362:Avoidance Learning / Q000187:drug effects*; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D001933:Brain Stem / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D010134:Fenclonine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects; D011247:Pregnancy; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012016:Reference Values; D012701:Serotonin / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013574:Synaptosomes / Q000378:metabolism
D012701:Serotonin; D008735:5-Methoxytryptamine; D010134:Fenclonine