Abstract
SEVERAL reports have indicated a relationship between the pituitary-adrenal secretion of steroids and brain serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine) in the rat1,2. Serotonin is believed to be a transmitter or regulator of neuronal function. We have previously investigated the effects of altering brain serotonin concentrations on the daily fluctuation of the pituitary-adrenal system3. We have investigated this problem further, by evaluating the response of the pituitary-adrenal system to a stress stimulus in the rat. Our approach was to either inhibit brain serotonin synthesis with p-chlorophenylalanine (PCPA), or to raise the concentration of serotonin with precursors such as tryptophan or 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)4.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Scapagnini, U., Moberg, G. F., Van Loon, G. R., De Groot, J., and Ganong, W. F., Neuroendocrinology, 7, 90 (1971).
Krieger, D. T., and Rizzo, F., Am. J. Physiol., 217, 1703 (1969).
Vernikos-Danellis, J., and Berger, P. A., in Serotonin and Behavior, (edit. by Barchas, J. D., and Usdin, E. 173 (Academic, New York, 1973).
Deguchi, T., and Barchas, J. D., Molec. Pharmacol., 8, 770 (1972).
Vernikos-Danellis, J., Anderson, E., and Trigg, L., Endocrinology, 79, 624 (1966).
Barchas, J., Erdelyi, E., and Angwin, P., Anal. Biochem., 50, 1 (1972).
Moir, A. T., and Eccleston, D., J. Neurochem., 15, 1093 (1968).
Brodie, H. K. H., Sack, R., and Siever, L., in Serotonin and Behavior, (edit. by Barchas, J. D., and Usdin, E., 549 (Academic, New York, 1973).
Harris, G. W., Physiol. Rev., 28, 139 (1948).
Sayers, G., and Sayers, M. A., Endocrinology, 40, 265 (1947).
Grahame-Smith, D. G., J. Neurochem., 18, 1066 (1971).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
BERGER, P., BARCHAS, J. & VERNIKOS-DANELLIS, J. Serotonin and pituitary-adrenal function. Nature 248, 424–426 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1038/248424a0
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/248424a0
This article is cited by
-
Effect of cyproheptadine on neuronal ultrastructure in the arcuate nucleus of the rat hypothalamus
Neuroscience and Behavioral Physiology (1985)
-
Suppression of the immune response by drugs interfering with the metabolism of serotonin
Experientia (1984)
-
Neuroendocrine effects of quipazine in man in health state or with neurological disorders
Journal of Neural Transmission (1980)
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.
