Abstract
The role of serotonergic (5-HT) receptor subtypes in mediation of aggressive behaviour in isolated male mice has been studied. Increase of attack latency was used as a simple measure of antiaggressive behaviour. 5-HT1A agonists (BAY R 1531, 8-OHDPAT, flesinoxan, gepirone, 5MeO DMT, buspirone, ipsapirone, BMY 14802) completely inhibit the aggressive behaviour irrespective of their intrinsic activities. Also the putative antagonists spiroxatrine and NAN 190 as well as the non-selective 5-HT1 agonists RU 24969, TFMPP, mCPP and eltoprazine have an antiaggressive effect. The mixed 5-HT1A andβ-adrenoceptor antagonists (−)-alprenolol and pindolol are ineffective and do not inhibit the effect of 8-OHDPAT. Neither does the non-selective 5-HT antagonist metergoline. The antiaggressive effect correlates with 5-HT1A receptor affinity in vitro and with generalization to the 8-OHDPAT-induced discriminative stimulus. The selective 5-HT uptake inhibitor citalopram does not inhibit aggressive behaviour. The 5-HT2 agonist DOI has an antiaggressive effect only at high doses, whereas the 5-HT2 antagonist ritanserin and the 5-HT3 antagonist ondansetron are ineffective. Prazosin (α 1-adrenoceptor antagonist), clonidine (α 2-adrenoceptor agonist), clenbuterol (β-adrenoceptor agonist), ketanserin (5-HT2 receptor andα 1-adrenoceptor antagonist), clozapine and (−)-octoclothepin (dopamine (DA), 5-HT2 receptor andα 1-adrenoceptor antagonist) all show an antiaggressive effect. SCH 23390 (DA D1 receptor antagonist) and emonapride (DA D2 receptor antagonist) are ineffective. In conclusion, 5-HT1A receptors are involved in mediation of isolation-induced aggressive behaviour in mice. The involvement of other 5-HT receptor subtypes needs further clarification. The adrenergic system may also be involved. DA antagonists are ineffective.
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Sánchez, C., Arnt, J., Hyttel, J. et al. The role of serotonergic mechanisms in inhibition of isolation-induced aggression in male mice. Psychopharmacology 110, 53–59 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02246950
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02246950