EFFECT OF 5-HYDROXYINDOLES (5-HT AND 5-HTP) ON PINEAL BIOCHEMICAL-CONSTITUENTS OF F-PENNANTI

In the pineal gland (PG) 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) or serotonin is hi ghly concentrated in comparison to other parts of the brain. It is the precursor of the formation of various hydroxy- and methoxyindoles who se reproductive effects are well known. However, the effect of seroton in on the PG itself is less extensively known. In the present experime nt an attempt was made to study the effect of morning (0830-0930) inje ction of 5-HT (20 mu g/day) and its intermediate product 5-hydroxytryp tophan (5-HTP; 5 mu g/day) on the biochemical constituents (protein, c holesterol and serotonin) of PG during the two phases of reproductive cycle (active/inactive) of Indian Palm Squirrel, Funambulus pennanti. The 5-hydroxyindoles suppressed the PG weight and its biochemical acti vities which initiated the unseasonal testicular recrudescence during reproductive inactive phase, whereas, no significant effect was noted on the pineal and testicular weight except the decrease in the seroton in content of PG during the reproductive active phase.