Lumbar cerebrospinal fluid homovanillic acid concentrations are higher in female than male non-human primates.

Concentrations of homovanillic acid and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid were determined in lumbar cerebrospinal fluid from intact male and female Macaca nemestrina. Concentrations of homovanillic acid, but not 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid were significantly higher in the females under baseline conditions. Following probenecid treatment, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid concentrations were significantly elevated over baseline conditions in both sexes although only homovanillic acid concentrations were significantly higher in the female monkeys.