Mass fragmentographic analysis of piperidine levels in tissues of rats during development.

Piperidine levels in the brain and adrenal gland of rats during development were determined by mass fragmentography with deuterium-labeled piperidine as an internal standard. The levels in both organs showed distinct developmental changes, and two peaks were observed in association with the development of each organ. The initial peaks appeared in the early stage of development, that is, at the 19th day of gestation for the brain and 1 week after birth for the adrenal gland. The second peaks appeared at the age of sexual maturation (10 weeks after birth). The significance of the finding is discussed with respect to a presumed role of piperidine as a neuroendocrine modulator.