A. Sapronova et al., EFFECT OF SEROTONIN DEPLETION ON THE HYPOTHALAMO-HYPOPHYSEAL-GONADOTROPIC ACTIVITY IN RAT FETUSES, Neuro endocrinology letters, 16(3), 1994, pp. 201-207
The luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) content highly decre
ased in the hypothalamus of male fetuses, but not of female fetuses un
der serotonin (5-HT) deficiency. This coincided with an increase of th
e LH level in male plasma. The testosterone action on the LH-RH or LK
secretions could be excluded as there was no change in testosterone le
vel in testis and plasma. The possible influence of the 5-HT deficienc
y on the developing LH-RH system and, thus, on the hypothalamo-hypophy
sial-gonadotropic axis is discussed.