The effect of 5-HT(2a/2c) receptor agonist microinjected into central amygdaloid nucleus and median preoptic area on maternal aggressive behavior in rats.

Full Abstract

OBJECTIVE:
Much evidence supports the hypothesis that 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) activation is related to the inhibition of aggression. We examined potentially pro- and anti-aggressive effects of the 5-HT(2A/2C) receptor agonist on specific brain sites.

METHOD:
Female Wistar rats on the 7th day postpartum were microinjected with the selective 5-HT(2A/2C) receptor agonist, alpha-methyl-5-hydroxytryptamine maleate (0.2 to 1.0 microg/0.2 microl) into the central amygdaloid nucleus and median preoptic nucleus. For each brain area studied, the frequency of the behaviors:
locomotion, social investigation, lateral threat, attacks (frontal and lateral), and biting the intruder were compared among the various treatments by an Analysis of Variance, followed when appropriate, by Tukey's test.

RESULTS:
Microinjection of the selective 5-HT(2A/2C) receptor agonist, a-methyl-5-hydroxytryptamine maleate into central amygdaloid nucleus increased maternal aggression in the absence of concurrent changes in non-aggressive behavior. By contrast, microinjection of the selective 5-HT(2A/2C) receptor agonist at several dilutions into the median preoptic nucleus did not alter aggressive behavior.

CONCLUSIONS:
The current and earlier data with pro- and anti-aggressive effects of the 5-HT(2a/2c) receptor agonist, when microinjected into the median preoptic nucleus relative to the central amygdaloid nucleus, medial septum and periaqueductal grey area in female rats point to functionally separate serotonin receptor populations in the amygdaloid-septal-hypothalamic and periaqueductal gray matter areas controlling aggressive behavior. It is possible that amygdaloid 5-HT(2a/2c) receptors may increase aggressive behavior in lactating females as a result of changes in fear.

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Author information

Author/s: de Almeida, Rosa Maria Martins (RM); Giovenardi, Marcia (M); da Silva, Simone Perroni (SP); de Oliveira, Verônica Paz (VP); Stein, Dirson João (DJ);

Affiliation: Laboratory of Neurosciences, Health Sciences, Universidade do Vale do Rio dos Sinos, São Leopoldo, RS, Brazil. rmalmeida(-atsign-)unisinos.br

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: Revista brasileira de psiquiatria (São Paulo, Brazil : 1999) (Rev Bras Psiquiatr), published in Brazil. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2006-Jun; vol 28 (issue 2) : pp 130-4

Dates: Created 2006/06/30; Completed 2007/02/08;

PMID: 16810397, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Aggression - drug effects
Amygdala - drug effects
Animals
Animals, Newborn
Behavior, Animal
Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
Female
Male
Maternal Behavior - drug effects

Maternal Behavior - drug effects
Microinjections
Preoptic Area - drug effects
Rats
Rats, Wistar
Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2A - agonists
Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2C - agonists
Serotonin - administration & dosage; analogs & derivatives; pharmacology
Serotonin Agonists - administration & dosage; pharmacology

Associated Chemicals: Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2A (0) ; Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2C (0) ; Serotonin Agonists (0) ; alpha-methylserotonin (22965-81-7) ; Serotonin (50-67-9)

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