Plasma corticosterone response to serotonin altering drugs in the 3-day-old rat

Dev Psychobiol. 1979 Jul;12(4):399-405. doi: 10.1002/dev.420120414.

Abstract

Three-day-old rats were injected with various neurotransmitter altering agents to demonstrate a functional relationship between these drugs and plasma corticoid levels. Plasma corticosterone levels were increased after injection of methiothepin, methysergide, and 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP), but were not changed by cholinergic, adrenergic, and dopaminergic compounds. Imipramine alone had no effects on plasma corticoids but in combination with 5-HTP resulted in a more sustained response than 5-HTP alone. Afunctional relationship between plasma corticosterone and serotonin receptors has been demonstrated in the 3-day-old rat. The presence of this relationship just after birth suggests the possibility that serotonin may be a mediator of early experience effects on later adrenocortical function.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • 5-Hydroxytryptophan / pharmacology
  • Adrenal Cortex / physiology*
  • Animals
  • Animals, Newborn / blood*
  • Corticosterone / blood*
  • Cyproheptadine / pharmacology
  • Imipramine / pharmacology
  • Neurotransmitter Agents / physiology*
  • Rats
  • Serotonin / physiology

Substances

  • Neurotransmitter Agents
  • Cyproheptadine
  • Serotonin
  • 5-Hydroxytryptophan
  • Imipramine
  • Corticosterone