title: Portacaval anastomosis in rats: effects on behavior and brain serotonin metabolism.
abstract: The behavior of male rats with chronic end-to-side portacaval shunts or control surgery were evaluated in a complex enclosed maze, an open-field arena, and a swim canal. Subsequently, serotonin and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid levels were measured for hypothalamus, striatum, hippocampus, and midbrain-medulla. Chronic portacaval anastomosis did not significantly alter any of the behavioral parameters evaluated in the diverse test situations studied, despite a significant elevation of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid levels in all brain regions analyzed and the elevation of serotonin levels in hypothalamus and midbrain-medulla.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000502:physiology*; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism*; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D011167:Portacaval Shunt, Surgical / Q000523:psychology*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012701:Serotonin / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D012701:Serotonin; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid