engleski

Physiological consequences of perinatal treatment with serotonin precursor in Wistar rats

Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5HT) is a biologically active amine present both, in the brain and the periphery (platelets, intestine), where it has different physiological functions. 5HT also controls brain development. Alterations in the system that regulates 5HT metabolism and function might represent one of the biological bases of behavioral disorders including autism. It is assumed that, during fetal and early post-natal development, high 5HT levels in blood could inhibit growth and maturation of 5HT neurons and lead to anatomical and functional alterations of the brain. In order to study the physiological consequences of perinatally elevated blood 5HT levels, rats were treated with the 5HT precursor 5-hydroxytryptophan (5HTP, 25mg/kg, sc) from gestational day 13 to post-natal day 21, and compared with the saline treated control group. In the 5HTP treated group, pups had significantly lower survival rate and birth weight, and they returned to their mother significantly faster in the separation test conducted at day 17. When they reached adulthood, their body mass remained significantly lower, and their plasma 5HT levels were indicatively higher compared to the control group. The results indicate that pharmacologically induced hyperserotonemia has indeed affected fetal development and was reflected post-natally in the appetite/metabolism rate, anxiety level, and peripheral 5HT synthesis/release. Specific brain changes will be investigated in further studies.

serotonin; 5-hydroxytryptophan; rat; physiological parameters; hyperserotonemia

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