[Spectrofluorometric determination of 5-hydroxytryptamine and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid in rat diencephalon...

A spectrofluorometric method to determine 5-HT and 5-HIAA in rat diencephalon has been developed, following the criterion of unifying the methodology in determining biogenic amines and their metabolites. Linearity in the method remains in the interval between 0.01 microgram and 0.05 microgram. Recovery is about 70% for amine and about 80% for the metabolite. Highest concentrations of 5-HT appear in one month old female animals, and are significantly higher than those found in the male population of the same age. Concentrations in two month old animals decrease, without significant differences between males and females. Values found for 5-HIAA seem not to change so significantly, although a slight decrease is observed in the elder males.