Brain Serotonin and Estradiol Retention in the Hypothalamus and Pituitary of the Rat

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Abstract
In order to investigate whether the capacity of hypothalamic and anterior pituitary tissue to concentrate and retain estradiol is affected by serotonin (5-HT), 3H-estradiol (3HE2)retention in these structures was measured after 5-HT synthesis inhibition by either p-chlorophenylalanine (PCPA) or 6-fluoro-tryptophan (6 FTrp), or after destruction of midbrain raphe nuclei containing 5-HT cell bodies, and after administration of the 5-HT precursor 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP). No modification in 3HE2 retention was observed after tryptophan hydroxylase inhibitors or raphe lesions; administration of the precursor only increased the steroid retention at very high, nonphysiological dose levels. The interaction of 5-HT with gonadotropic release cannot be accounted for by a direct effect on specific estrogenic receptors, but occurs at a different level of gonadotropic release regulating structures or directly on LH-RH [luteinizing hormone-releasing hormones] neurons.