Genetics and phenogenetics of the hormonal characteristics of animals. VII. Correlation between brain serotonin and the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal system in domesticated and undomesticated silver foxes during emotional stress

Popova, N.K.; Voĭtenko, N.N.; Pavlova, S.I.; Trut, L.N.; Naumenko, E.V.

Genetika 16(10): 1865-1870

1980


ISSN/ISBN: 0016-6758
PMID: 6161860
Document Number: 158713
Two groups of silver foxes, selected according their behaviour with respect to man and non-selected ones, were exposed to restriction-induced stress. It was found that changes in the level of brain serotonin and its main metabolite, 5-hydroxyindolacetic acid, and elevation of plasma corticosteroids concentration in domesticated (tame) silver foxes were much less pronounced than in non-domesticated (non-tame) animals. Positive relationship between type of behaviour, brain serotonin metabolism and pituitary-adrenal axis response to stress was observed. It is suggested that such correlative pattern as changed pituitary-adrenal axis responses in domesticated animals may be due to changes in metabolism of controlling this axis brain transmitter serotonin.

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