Possible role played by monoamines in the control of puberty onset in female rats.

The effect of pargyline on 5 HT concentration in a combined forebrain and midbrain section ( FMB ) have been investigated in female rats which were temporarily deprived from their dams in postnatal life and daily injected with the monoamine oxidase inhibitor. Two hours after the last pargyline injection a marked increase in 5 HT concentration could be observed both in 12 and 30 days-old rats. The question is raised whether 5 HT may be involved in neuroendocrine mechanisms which are responsible for controlling the onset of puberty, since a significant advance of puberty could be achieved by this pargyline treatment in normal and deprived female rats.