Relation of exploratory behavior of rats in elevated plus-maze to brain receptor binding properties and serum growth hormone levels

Kõks, S., Vasar, E., Soosaar, A., Lang, A., Volke, V., Võikar, V., Bourin, M. and Männistö, P.T. (1997) Relation of exploratory behavior of rats in elevated plus-maze to brain receptor binding properties and serum growth hormone levels. European Neuropsychopharmacology, 7 (4). pp. 289-294.

Abstract

Forty-five male Wistar rats were selected according to their behavior in the elevated plus-maze. They were separated as follows: animals with low exploratory activity (`anxious'), an `intermediate' group and animals having high exploratory activity (`non-anxious'). Various receptor binding studies and hormonal assays were also performed in these selected rats. The affinity of 5-hydroxytryptamine 5-HT2A receptors in the frontal cortex was lower in the `anxious' rats compared to home-cage controls and `non-anxious' animals. Moreover, the number of cholecystokinin (CCK) receptors in the hippocampus was significantly elevated in the `anxious' group compared to home-cage control animals. The blood levels of growth hormone (GH) were significantly lower in the `non-anxious' rats compared to `anxious' counterparts. In conclusion, it seems likely that the decreased exploratory activity of rats is related to the increased 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and CCK mediated neurotransmission in the brain. The different serum levels of GH in the selected rats probably reflect alterations in the activity of 5-HT and CCK.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Publisher:	Elsevier
Copyright:	© 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.
URI:	http://researchrepository.murdoch.edu.au/id/eprint/53010

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