Horm Metab Res 2007; 39(7): 479-481
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-981682
Original Basic

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Effect of β-Endorphin Imprinting during Late Pregnancy on the Brain Serotonin and Plasma Nocistatin Levels of Adult Male Rats

K. Tekes 1 , M. Gyenge 1 , M. Hantos 2 , G. Csaba 3
  • 1Department of Pharmacodynamics, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
  • 2University Pharmacy and Department of Pharmacy Administration, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
  • 3Department of Genetics, Cell and Immunobiology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
Further Information

Publication History

received 7. 11. 2006

accepted 22. 1. 2007

Publication Date:
05 July 2007 (online)

Abstract

Female rats were treated with 10 μg of β-endorphin on the 19th day of pregnancy. Offspring were studied when five months old. Serotonin (5-HT) and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) content in four brain regions were determined by HPLC-EC and the nocistatin levels of blood plasma using RIA methods. In each brain region studied, the 5-HT levels were highly significantly reduced and that of 5-HIAA in three regions was highly significantly increased. When 5HIAA/5HT ratios, as a measure of serotonin turnover, were calculated, imprinted animals showed extremely high values. Plasma nocistatin level was also significantly elevated. The results call attention to the effect of perinatal endorphin imprinting and its long-term consequences (e.g., setting of aggressiveness, pain tolerance).

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Correspondence

G. CsabaMD, PhD, DSc 

Department of Genetics, Cell, and Immunobiology

Semmelweis University

POB 370

445 Budapest

Hungary

Phone: +36/1/210 29 50

Fax: +36/1/303 69 68

Email: csagyor@net.sote.hu