Quipazine and light have similar effects on c-fos induction in the rat suprachiasmatic nucleus.
The effects of the serotonin agonist, quipazine, on the induction of c-fos in the suprachiasmatic nucleus of the rat was examined at different times of the 24 h cycle. Quipazine administered at night induced Fos production in a dose dependent manner (1, 3, 10, 30 mumol/kg) in the ventrolateral portion of the suprachiasmatic nucleus at ZT18. Administration of the highest dose at other times resulted in c-fos induction at ZT15 but not at other times of the day or subjective day examined (CT6 and ZT12). When compared to the effects of light pulses (2 lux/1 min), quipazine only caused c-fos induction at times when light caused induction. Our results support a role of serotonergic pathways in the transmission or modulation of photic information from the retina to the suprachiasmatic nucleus of the rat.
Moyer
R W
RW
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Adelaide, Medical School, S.A., Australia.
Kennaway
D J
DJ
Ferguson
S A
SA
Dijstelbloem
Y P
YP
D000818:Animals; D008027:Light; D008297:Male; D016760:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000187:drug effects; D011814:Quipazine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013493:Suprachiasmatic Nucleus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism*
D016760:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists; D011814:Quipazine