Brain catecholamines metabolism in offspring of amphetamine treated rats.

Previous observations have pointed out that treatment with amphetamine during pregnancy produces behavioral modifications in adulthood. In order to elucidate some possible brain biochemical mechanisms that could explain the behavioral changes observed we have determined the endogenous content of brain dopamine and noradrenaline, the in vivo rate of conversion of tyrosine-C14 in such amines and the activity of tyrosine-hydroxylase, the rate limiting enzyme in catecholamines biosynthesis. We did not observe modifications in the endogenous content of dopamine and noradrenaline but did observe an increase in the conversion rate of tyrosine-C14 in such amines and also in the tyrosine-hydroxylase activity. These results indicate that treatment with amphetamines during fetal age produces catecholamine metabolism modifications that persist throughout adulthood, although the influence of behavioral modifications of the mothers cannot be ruled out. The relationship with behavioral changes is discussed.