EFFECTS OF AN ACUTE STRESS ON FOREBRAIN 5-HYDROXYTRYPTAMINE (5-HT) METABOLISM IN CNS LESIONED AND DRUG PRETREATED RATS

C.N.S. lesioned or drug pretreated male albino rats were subjected to a 1 hr horizontal oscillation stress. An analysis of forebrain 5-HT and 5-HIAA levels indicated that p-CPA pretreatment or M.F.B. lesions facilitated 5-HT turnover in response to stress. Raphé lesions, on the other hand, prevented this latter facilitation of indolamine turnover. The results obtained were explained on the basis of an operative negative feedback system in stressed rats. The lack of a change in raphé lesioned rats, further reinforced the concept that most forebrain 5-HT containing neurons are the result of axons extending from this nucleus. © 1969.