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Science 29 September 1972:
Vol. 177. no. 4055, pp. 1214 - 1215
DOI: 10.1126/science.177.4055.1214
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Articles

Rat Fighting Behavior: Serum Dopamine-beta-Hydroxylase and Hypothalamic Tyrosine Hydroxylase

Friedhelm Lamprecht 1, Burr Eichelman 2, Nguyen B. Thoa 3, Redford B. Williams 4, and Irwin J. Kopin 3

1 Laboratory of Clinical Science, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20014
2 Laboratory of Clinical Psychobiology, National Institute of Mental Health
3 Laboratory of Clinical Science
4 Laboratory of Clinical Psychobiology

Male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to 4 weeks of daily periods of immobilization stress. One of two experimental groups was allowed 1 month of recovery. After 4 weeks of stress, there was a significant increase in shockinduced fighting, in the activity of serum dopamine-beta-hydroxylase, and in the activity of hypothalamic tyrosine hydroxylase. The concentration of hypothalamic norepinephrine was not decreased. After 4 weeks of recovery, only serum dopamine-betahydroxylase activity returned to normal; it therefore appears that longterm stress may increase central catecholamine synthesis. possibly resulting in a persistent increase in aggressive behavior.


THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES:
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D. G. Lichter and L. A. Jackson (1996)
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Vascular and brain dopamine beta-hydroxylase activity in young spontaneously hypertensive rats.
T Nagatsu, K Ikuta, Y Numata, T Kato, and M Sano (1976)
Science 191, 290-291
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Science. ISSN 0036-8075 (print), 1095-9203 (online)