Article ID Journal Published Year Pages File Type
2558203 Life Sciences 2005 5 Pages PDF
Abstract
To investigate the neurochemical mechanism of the response of growth hormone to 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP), we administered 5-HTP (20 mg/kg) to 10 ovine fetuses (110 or 130 days old; term gestation 147 days). Ninety minutes after 5-HTP administration, and following increases in plasma growth hormone concentrations, the fetus was delivered by hysterotomy. After local anesthesia of the fetus and sacrifice by cervical spinal cord transection the hypothalamus rapidly dissected, and stored at −80°C for later analysis of norepinephrine, dopamine, serotonin and hydroxyindole acetic acid. Compared to the administration of saline, 5-HTP caused a significant increase in the hypothalamic content of serotonin, and norepinephrine, at both gestational ages. 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid increased significantly only in the older fetuses. These results indicate that serotonin may not be the only neurotransmitter active in the growth hormone response to 5-HTP.
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