Skip to main content
Log in

Sex difference in the turnover of GABA in the rat substantia nigra

  • Original Papers
  • Published:
Journal of Neural Transmission Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

The turnover of GABA (estimated from the post-mortem accumulation of GABA), and the activity of glutamic acid decarboxylase and GABA transaminase, along with the saturation of both enzymes by cofactor pyridoxal phosphate, were studied in the substantia nigra of rats of both sexes. Although no sex differences were found in the in vitro measured characteristics of both enzymes involved in GABA metabolism, the turnover of GABA was greater in males. This finding is consistent with our previous reports showing the greater resistance of male rats to GABA-related convulsions.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Bertilsson L, Mao CC, Costa E (1977) Application of principles of steady-state kinetics to the estimation ofγ-aminobutyric acid turnover rate in nuclei of rat brain. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 200: 277–284

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Carlsson M, Svensson K, Eriksson E, Carlsson A (1985) Rat brain serotonin: Biochemical and functional evidence for a sex difference. J Neural Transm 63: 297–313

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dark KA, Ellman G, Peeke HVS, Galin D, Reus VI (1984) Sex differences and asymmetries of catecholamines: Relation to turning preferences. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 20: 327–330

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Earley CJ, Leonard BE (1978) GABA and gonadal hormones. Brain Res 155: 27–34

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Frankfurt M, Fuchs E, Wuttke W (1984) Sex differences inγ-aminobutyric acid and glutamate concentrations in discrete rat brain nuclei. Neurosci Lett 50: 245–250

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gale K (1985) Mechanisms of seizure control mediated byγ-aminobutyric acid: Role of the substantia nigra. Fed Proc 44: 2414–2424

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Guidotti A, Cheney DL, Trabucchi M, Doteuchi M, Wang F (1974) Focussed microwave irradiation. A technique to minimize post mortem changes of cyclic nucleotides, dopa and choline and to preserve brain morphology. Neuropharmacology 13: 1–7

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hall ZW, Kravitz EA (1967) The metabolism ofγ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the lobster nervous system-I. J Neurochem 14: 45–54

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hirsh HE, Robins E (1962) Distribution ofγ-aminobutyric acid in the layers of the cerebral and cerebellar cortex. Implications for its physiological role. J Neurochem 9: 63–70

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Iadarola MJ, Gale K (1982) Substantia nigra: Site of anticonvulsant activity mediated byγ-aminobutyric acid. Science 218: 1237–1240

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • König JFR, Klippel RA (1963) The rat brain: a stereotaxic atlas of the forebrain and lower parts of the brain stem. Williams and Wilkins, Baltimore

    Google Scholar 

  • Lindgren S, Andén N-E (1985) Effect of the normal nerve impulse flow on the synthesis and utilization of GABA in the rat substantia nigra. J Neural Transm 61: 21–34

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lowry OH, Rosebrough NJ, Farr AL, Randall RJ (1951) Protein measurement with the folin phenol reagent. J Biol Chem 193: 265–275

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Luine VN, McEwen BS (1983) Sex differences in cholinergic enzymes of diagonal band nuclei in the rat preoptic area. Neuroendocrinology 36: 475–482

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Manev H, Peričić D (1986) Orchidectomy affects picrotoxin-induced convulsions differently in mice compared to rats. IRCS Med Sci 14: 1048–1049

    Google Scholar 

  • Manev H, Peričić D, Manojlović-Manev R, Geber J (1986) Sex differences in the response of rats to Cl-channel blocking agent picrotoxin. Period Biol 88: 161–163

    Google Scholar 

  • Manev H, škrlec T, Peričić D (1985) Sex differences in the locomotor activity of rats and mice and in the brain GABA content of rats. Period Biol 87: 423–424

    Google Scholar 

  • Mansky T, Mestres-Ventura P, Wuttke W (1982) Involvement of GABA in the feedback action of estradiol on gonadotropin and prolactin release: hypothalamic GABA and catecholamine turnover rates. Brain Res 231: 353–364

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mao CC, Peralta E, Morini F, Costa E (1978) The turnover rate ofγ-aminobutyric acid in the substantia nigra following electrical stimulation or lesioning of the strionigral pathways. Brain Res 155: 147–152

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • McGinnis MY, Gordon JH, Gorski RA (1980) Time course and localization of the effects of estrogen on glutamic acid decarboxylase activity. J Neurochem 34: 785–792

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Miller LP, Martin DL, Mazumder A, Walters JR (1978) Studies on the regulation of GAB A synthesis: Substrate promoted dissociation of pyridoxal-5-phosphate from GAD. J Neurochem 30: 361–369

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Nicoletti F, Patti F, Ferrara N, Canonico PL, Giammona G, Condorelli DF, Scapagnini U (1982) Comparative effects of estrogens and prolactin on nigral and striatal GAD activity. Brain Res 232: 238–241

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Nicoletti F, Speciale C, Sorinto MA, Panetta MS, DiGiorgio RM, Canonico PL (1985) Estrogen effects on nigral glutamic acid decarboxylase activity: A possible role for catecholestrogen. Eur J Pharmacol 115: 297–300

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Peričić D, Eng N, Walters JR (1978) Post-mortem and aminooxyacetic acid-induced accumulation of GABA: Effect of gamma-butyrolactone and picrotoxin. J Neurochem 30: 767–773

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Peričić D, Manev H, Geber J (1986) Sex related differences in the response of mice, rats and cats to administration of picrotoxin. Life Sci 38: 905–913

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Peričić D, Manev H, Lakić N (1985) Sex differences in the response of rats to drugs affecting GABAergic transmission. Life Sci 36: 541–547

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Peričić D, Walters JR, Chase TN (1977) Effect of diazepam and pentobarbital on aminooxyacetic acid-induced accumulation of GABA. J Neurochem 29: 839–846

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Van Hartesveldt C, Joyce JN (1986) Effects of estrogen on basal ganglia. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 10: 1–14

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Walters JR, Eng N, Peričić D, Miller LP (1978) Effects of aminooxyacetic acid and L-glutamic acid-γ-hydrazide on GABA metabolism in specific brain regions. J Neurochem 30: 759–766

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Manev, H., Peričić, D. Sex difference in the turnover of GABA in the rat substantia nigra. J. Neural Transmission 70, 321–328 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01253606

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01253606

Key words

Navigation