title: Estradiol modulation of central monoamine activity in female mountain spiny lizards.
abstract: Although estradiol (E2) mediates many behaviors in females, relatively little is known about its role in female aggression. Previous studies in female mountain spiny lizards indicated that female aggression is modulated by ovariectomy and sex steroid hormone replacement and that expression of aggressive behavior is accompanied by changes in serotonin activity. This study examines if E2 modulates the activity of serotonin and other central monoamines. Free-living females were caught and housed in the laboratory and received one of 3 treatments: sham surgery (SHAM), ovariectomy plus empty implant (OVEX), or sham surgery plus a long lasting E2 implant (E2-IMP). After 3 weeks of treatment, selected brain areas were examined for levels of monoamines and their metabolites. Changes in monoamine activity were most pronounced in the septum where levels of serotonin (5-HT), 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), and norepinephrine (NE) were higher in E2-IMP females relative to SHAM, and levels of 5-HIAA were higher in OVEX females relative to SHAM. Changes in dopamine (DA) activity were also found, with increased DA concentration and decreased ratio of forebrain:brainstem HVA concentrations in E2-IMP relative to SHAM females. These results suggest that the actions of E2 on aggression might be mediated, in part, by dose-dependent effects on 5-HT activity in the septum.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Arizona State University, Tempe, Ariz., USA. SWoodley@bio.bu.edu
authors.forename: S K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Woodley
authors.forename: K S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Matt
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Moore
mesh_terms: D000374:Aggression / Q000187:drug effects; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D003345:Corticosterone / Q000378:metabolism; D004298:Dopamine / Q000378:metabolism; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004958:Estradiol / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006719:Homovanillic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D008116:Lizards / Q000378:metabolism*; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000378:metabolism; D010052:Ovariectomy; D012621:Seasons; D020665:Septum of Brain / Q000378:metabolism; D012701:Serotonin / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D012701:Serotonin; D004958:Estradiol; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid; D004298:Dopamine; D003345:Corticosterone; D009638:Norepinephrine; D006719:Homovanillic Acid