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Hippocampal 5-hydroxytryptamine synthesis is greater in female rats than in males and more decreased by the 5-HT1A agonist 8-OH-DPAT

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Summary

Brain regional 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and/or 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) concentrations tended to be slightly higher in female rats than in males but differences were substantial only in the hippocampus where female values were 34% and 36% higher respectively. These findings were consistent with the synthesis rates of 5-HT as this was 53% greater in the female than in the male hippocampi. Other regions did not show significant sex differences. The 5-HT[n1A] agonist 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino) tetralin (8-OH-DPAT, 1 mg/kg sc) caused comparable decreases of 5-HT synthesis rate in both sexes and in all regions studied except the hippocampus where the percentage decrease was twice as large in the females (−64%) as in the males (−32%) so that the sex difference in 5-HT synthesis in this region largely disappeared. The results are discussed in relation to sex differences in behaviour and hippocampal function.

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Author notes

  1. G. Curzon

    Present address: Department of Neurochemistry, Institute of Neurology, London, UK

  2. D. J. Haleem

    Present address: Department of Biochemistry, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan

  3. G. A. Kennett

    Present address: Research Division, Beecham Pharmaceuticals, Harlow, Essex, UK

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurochemistry, Institute of Neurology, London, UK

    D. J. Haleem & G. A. Kennett

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  1. D. J. Haleem
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  2. G. A. Kennett
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  3. G. Curzon
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Haleem, D.J., Kennett, G.A. & Curzon, G. Hippocampal 5-hydroxytryptamine synthesis is greater in female rats than in males and more decreased by the 5-HT1A agonist 8-OH-DPAT. J. Neural Transmission 79, 93–101 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01251004

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