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Effect of metyrapone administration in pregnant rats on monoamine concentration in fetal brain
M L Leret1, M T Antonio, R M Arahuetes
1Dept. Biología Animal II, Fac. Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain.
Studies performed in our laboratory indicate that the adrenal deprivation during gestation can greatly influence the fetal catecholamines development in several cerebral areas. The present study was undertaken to determine whether the administration of metyrapone to pregnant rats affects the content of monoamines in fetal brain at term. To test wether the content of monoamines in fetal brain is regulated, at least in part, by endogenous glucocorticoids, pregnant rats were injected for 5 days prior to delivery with metyrapone, an adrenal 11-beta-steroid hidroxylase inhibitor which crosses the placenta and blocks endogenous glucocorticoid synthesis, or saline. On day 21 of gestation, delivery of all animals was accomplished by cesarean section. The encephalons were extracted and immediately dissected in metencephalon, mesencephalon, diencephalon and telencephalon. Monoamine determination was carried out using HPLC-ED. The results obtained indicate that the metyrapone treatment increases both DA and 5-HT and their metabolites in the brain studied areas.
Studies performed in our laboratory indicate that the adrenal deprivation during gestation can greatly influence the fetal catecholamines development in several cerebral areas. The present study was undertaken to determine whether the administration of metyrapone to pregnant rats affects the content of monoamines in fetal brain at term. To test wether the content of monoamines in fetal brain is regulated, at least in part, by endogenous glucocorticoids, pregnant rats were injected for 5 days prior to delivery with metyrapone, an adrenal 11-beta-steroid hidroxylase inhibitor which crosses the placenta and blocks endogenous glucocorticoid synthesis, or saline. On day 21 of gestation, delivery of all animals was accomplished by cesarean section. The encephalons were extracted and immediately dissected in metencephalon, mesencephalon, diencephalon and telencephalon. Monoamine determination was carried out using HPLC-ED. The results obtained indicate that the metyrapone treatment increases both DA and 5-HT and their metabolites in the brain studied areas.