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INHIBITORY EFFECT OF p-CHLOROPHENYLALANINE ON THE SEXUAL MATURATION OF FEMALE RATS

Since Robson & Botros (1961) described the inhibitory effect of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) on the sexual development of mice, the hypothalamus has been postulated as a possible site for the action of the exogenous 5-HT. In the rat, introduction of serotonin directly into the third ventricle prevented maturation in normal female animals (Corbin & Schottelius, 1961) and delayed vaginal opening from an average of 39·7 to 47·6 days (O'Steen, 1965) when administered to young animals.

Koe & Weissman (1966) have established that parachlorophenylalanine (p-CPA) markedly lowers the concentration of 5-HT in brain and other tissues and that, in brain, there is only a slight decrease in the levels of norepinephrine.

The investigation reported here was designed to determine if the depletion of 5-HT in the