[Serotonin concentration in the rat fetal brain in experimental intrauterine dystrophy]

The concentration of serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) was determined in the brain of fetal rats with experimental intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR). IUGR was induced using the procedure of Wigglesworth. On the 17th day of gestation, the uterine artery supplying one uterine horn was ligated. The artery of the opposite uterine horn was left untouched (control). On the 22nd day the fetuses were delivered by C-section. 5-HT was determined by fluorometric method. Statistical analysis employed the paired Student t-test. The average body weight of the IUGR fetuses was 3.15 g, whereas control fetuses 4,50 g. The mean concentration of 5-HT was 10,4% lower in IUGR fetal brains. The mean 5-HT brain concentration in IUGR was 155 micrograms/g of tissue, whereas in control the mean concentration was 173 micrograms/g of tissue. The difference between these brain concentrations was significant (p less than 0,005). We conclude that reduction in maternofetal blood flow in the 3rd trimester of gestation results in decreased concentration in the brain of 5-HT.