Research article summary (published 31 Mar 2009):

Serotonin, social status and sex change in the bluebanded goby Lythrypnus dalli.

Full Abstract

In a variety of vertebrates, highly aggressive individuals tend to have high social status and low serotonergic function. In the sex changing fish Lythrypnus dalli, serotonin (5-HT) may be involved as a mediator between the social environment and the reproductive system because social status is a critical cue in regulating sex change. Subordination inhibits sex change in L. dalli, and it is associated with higher serotonergic activity in other species. We tested the hypothesis that high serotonergic activity has an inhibitory effect on sex change. In a social situation permissive to sex change, we administered to the dominant female implants containing the serotonin precursor 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP). In a social situation not conducive to sex change, we administered either the serotonin synthesis inhibitor p-chlorophenylalanine (PCPA) or the 5-HT(1A) receptor antagonist p-MPPI. After three weeks we used HPLC to measure brain levels of 5-HT and its metabolite 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA). We also performed PCPA, p-MPPI and fluoxetine injections in size-matched pairs of females to assess its effect on dominance status. Males and newly sex changed fish showed a trend for higher levels of 5-HIAA and 5-HT/5-HIAA ratio than females. The different implants treatments did not affect the probability of sex change. Interestingly, this species does not seem to fit the pattern seen in other vertebrates where dominant individuals have lower serotonergic activity than subordinates.

Author information

Author/s: Lorenzi, Varenka (V); Carpenter, Russ E (RE); Summers, Cliff H (CH); Earley, Ryan L (RL); Grober, Matthew S (MS);

Affiliation: Department of Biology, Georgia State University & Center for Behavioral Neuroscience, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA. biovxl(-atsign-)langate.gsu.edu

Grants: P20 RR15567 (Agency:NCRR NIH HHS)

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

Journal: Physiology & behavior (Physiol Behav), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2009-Jun; vol 97 (issue 3-4) : pp 476-83

Dates: Created 2009/05/18; Completed 2009/08/12;

PMID: 19345236, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 8/21/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

5-Hydroxytryptophan - pharmacology Aminopyridines - pharmacology Analysis of Variance Animals Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid - methods Female Fenclonine - pharmacology Fishes - physiology Fluoxetine - pharmacology Hierarchy, Social

Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid - metabolism Linear Models Male Piperazines - pharmacology Serotonin - metabolism Serotonin Antagonists - pharmacology Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors - pharmacology Sex Reversal, Gonadal Sexual Behavior, Animal - drug effects; physiology Social Behavior

Associated Chemicals: Aminopyridines (0) ; Piperazines (0) ; Serotonin Antagonists (0) ; Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors (0) ; 4-(2'-methoxyphenyl)-1-(2'-(N-(2''-pyridinyl)-4-iodobenzamido)ethyl)piperazine (155204-23-2) ; Serotonin (50-67-9) ; Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid (54-16-0) ; Fluoxetine (54910-89-3) ; 5-Hydroxytryptophan (56-69-9) ; Fenclonine (7424-00-2)

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