We investigated the effects of para-chlorophenylalanine (PCPA), a sero
tonin (5-HT) antagonist, on social aggression and brain neurochemistry
in young domestic chickens (Gallus domesticus). In Experiment 1, the
effects of four different doses of PCPA (0, 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg) w
ere examined for 3 days after injection. Immediately after PCPA inject
ion, aggressive pecking was low and then increased over the 3-day test
period. PCPA significantly decreased 5-HT, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid
(5-HIAA), and 5-HT turnover. In addition, the frequency of aggression
was negatively correlated with levels of 5-HIAA. In Experiment 2, the
time-dependent effects of a single 400-mg/kg dose of PCPA were examin
ed for 5 and 7 days after drug exposure. PCPA-treated chicks observed
for 5 days after injection had significantly greater frequencies of ag
gression 4 days following drug exposure and significantly reduced 5-HT
levels when measured on the next day. Similarly, chicks observed for
7 days exibited significantly elevated aggression 5 days after injecti
on, after which their pecking decreased to control levels on days 6 an
d 7. Coinciding with this behavioral pattern, 5-HT levels from these P
CPA-treated chicks when assessed 7 days after drug exposure were the s
ame as those for control birds. We concluded that PCPA increased socia
l aggression in birds, an effect that diminished as brain 5-HT levels
recovered over a 1-week period.