Effects of rat ovariectomy on CSF monoamine metabolite levels and elimination.

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was removed from the third ventricle of anesthetized male, female, and ovariectomized rats. CSF 3,4-dihydroxyphenylethylamine and serotonin metabolite levels [dihydroxyphenylacetic acid, homovanillic acid (HVA), and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA)] were determined on 15-min samples by liquid chromatography coupled with electrochemical detection. Monoamine oxidase inhibition was used for studying metabolite turnover in the CSF. No difference was observed between male, ovariectomized, and sham-operated female rats. However, ventricular CSF HVA and 5-HIAA levels were significantly higher in the ovariectomized than in the sham-operated rats. These differences do not reflect effects of ovariectomy on brain metabolite production but indicate slower metabolite elimination from the CSF.