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.
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The authors are not aware of any conflicts of interest, financial or otherwise.
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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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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00360-013-0793-9