Dynamic characteristics of serotonin and dopamine metabolism in the rainbow trout brain: a regional study using liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection.

Aminergic metabolism was studied in discrete brain regions of the postovulated female rainbow trout using a liquid chromatography electrochemical detection method. 3 Methoxytyramine (3MT) was the major dopaminergic catabolite, suggesting that catechol-o-methyl transferase is the main dopamine (DA) catabolic enzyme. Two populations of brain regions were found: one with a high DA content and low 3MT/DA ratio (hypothalamus and telencephalon), suggesting that these regions could present a high density of DA perikarya; the other with a high 3MT/DA ratio (pituitary, preoptic area, myelencephalon and optic tectum) suggesting that these regions could present a high density of DA axonal endings. 5 Hydroxytryptamine (5HT) content differed, but an homogeneous distribution of monoamine oxidase was found in different brain regions. High 5HT content was found in the hypothalamus and telencephalon; 5HT was however not detectable in the pituitary.