Estradiol-induced increase of specific [3H]ketanserin binding sites on rat uterine membranes

[3H]Ketanserin, a specific serotonin (5-HT) antagonist, was used to investigate whether 5-HT receptors increased in the uterine membranes of ovariectomized rats on administration of 17 beta-estradiol-3-benzoate (estradiol) and also to investigate the characteristics of specific [3H]ketanserin binding to the uterine membranes from estradiol-treated ovariectomized rat. Administration of estradiol significantly increased the amount of [3H]ketanserin specifically bound at equilibrium but did not change the apparent affinity of specific [3H]ketanserin binding. The specific [3H]ketanserin binding to estradiol-treated ovariectomized preparations was rapid and reversible. The Scatchard plots of the saturation curves of specific [3H]ketanserin binding to untreated and estradiol-treated ovariectomized preparations were convex. The apparent Ki values of various serotonergic agents deduced from displacements by these compounds of specific [3H]ketanserin binding to estradiol-treated ovariectomized preparations were two to four orders of magnitude smaller than those of adrenergic, dopaminergic and histaminergic agents. These results suggest that [3H]ketanserin binds mainly to 5-HT receptors in the uterine membranes of estradiol-treated ovariectomized rats.