Effects of clomiphene citrate, a nonsteroidal antiestrogen, on brain monoaminergic mechanisms in female goldfish, Carassius auratus.

The antiestrogen, clomiphene citrate ( Merrell -National Laboratories) was administered to female goldfish in order to test the hypothesis that this drug may act on brain monoaminergic mechanisms. Brain monoamine oxidase (MAO) activity and hypothalamic serotonin (5-HT) content were measured fluorometrically after i.p. administration of 0, 5 or 25 micrograms clomiphene citrate/g body wt. Brain MAO activity was significantly inhibited by the high dose of clomiphene citrate, whereas hypothalamic 5-HT content was significantly elevated by both low and high doses of the antiestrogen. These data support the idea that brain monoamines in teleost fish are influenced by estrogen feedback mechanisms which can be blocked by clomiphene citrate.