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Crowding stress inhibits serotonin 1A receptor-mediated increases in corticotropin-releasing factor mRNA expression and adrenocorticotropin hormone secretion in the Gulf toadfish

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Abstract

Stimulation of the serotonin 1A (5-HT1A) receptor subtype by 5-HT has been shown to result in an elevation in plasma corticosteroid levels in both mammals and several species of teleost fish, including the Gulf toadfish (Opsanus beta); however, in the case of teleost fish, it is not clearly known at which level of the hypothalamic–pituitary–interrenal axis the 5-HT1A receptor is stimulated. Additionally, previous investigations have revealed that chronic elevations of plasma cortisol mediate changes in brain 5-HT1A receptor mRNA and protein levels via the glucocorticoid receptor (GR); thus, we hypothesized that the function of centrally activated 5-HT1A receptors is reduced or abolished as a result of chronically elevated plasma cortisol levels and that this response is GR mediated. Our results are the first to demonstrate that intravenous injection of the 5-HT1A receptor agonist, 8-OH-DPAT, stimulates a significant increase in corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) precursor mRNA expression in the hypothalamic region and the release of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) from the pituitary of teleost fish compared to saline-injected controls. We also provide evidence that cortisol, acting via GRs, attenuates the 5-HT1A receptor-mediated secretion of both CRF and ACTH.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Mr. Ray Hurley and Ms. Debbie Fretz for providing toadfish for the experiments conducted herein, the NSF Grant IOS-0920547 (to M. Danielle McDonald) as well as the Rowlands fellowship and the Knight Fellowship to Lea R. Medeiros.

Conflict of interest

The authors are not aware of any conflicts of interest, financial or otherwise.

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  1. Lea R. Medeiros

    Present address: Department of Biological Sciences, University of Idaho, Life Sciences South 252, P.O. Box 443051, Moscow, ID, 83844, USA

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  1. Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, Miami, FL, 33149-1098, USA

    Lea R. Medeiros, Maria C. Cartolano & M. Danielle McDonald

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  1. Lea R. Medeiros
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  2. Maria C. Cartolano
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  3. M. Danielle McDonald
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Correspondence to Lea R. Medeiros.

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Communicated by H.V. Carey.

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Medeiros, L.R., Cartolano, M.C. & McDonald, M.D. Crowding stress inhibits serotonin 1A receptor-mediated increases in corticotropin-releasing factor mRNA expression and adrenocorticotropin hormone secretion in the Gulf toadfish. J Comp Physiol B 184, 259–271 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00360-013-0793-9

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