title: Behavioral effects in adulthood of serotonin depletion by P-chlorophenylalanine given neonatally to male rats.
abstract: The effect in male rats of depletion of brain 5HT over days 1-7 or 8-16 after birth, by daily administration of 100 mg/kg PCPA was noted on various behaviors after the animals had reached adulthood. Treatment over days 1-7 had little or no effect, but over days 8-16 induced the following behavioral changes: In the elevated plus-maze, the treated group spent longer on the open arms, indicating a lower level of anxiety. In a test for sexual orientation, the treated animals were more sexually oriented toward the female stimulus and they showed a reduction in pendulum movements (a fear-related parameter); however their sexual performance with a receptive female was not different from the controls. The animals were also tested as residents in a resident-intruder paradigm for their social and agonistic activity. The treatment induced an increase in offensive activity confined to the high intensity elements and a parallel decrease in defensive activity. These results can be interpreted in terms of an increased reactivity to environmental and social cues and a decreased anxiety.
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Physiology, University Siena, Italy.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Farabollini
authors.forename: D R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Hole
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Wilson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects*; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D010134:Fenclonine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012701:Serotonin / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D012701:Serotonin; D010134:Fenclonine