Effects of various periods of food deprivation on serotonin turnover in the lateral hypothalamus.

Preliminary results indicated enhanced serotonin turnover in the lateral hypothalamus of 24 hr food deprived rats as compared to non-deprived rats. In the present study, the periods of food deprivation were extended in ordered that the effects of 0. 24, 48 and 72 hr of food deprivation on serotonin turnover could be measured. One hr following an infusion of 3H-5-hydroxytryptamine the lateral hypothalamus was perfused with physiological bacteriostatic saline for 40 min. Samples of perfusate, which corresponds to 75--90 min post-infusion, were analyzed by thin layer chromatography for estimation of 3H-labelled precursor and metabolites. The results indicate that serotonin turnover is enhanced as a function of hours of food deprivation.