Abstract
The concentrations of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), N-acetyl-5-hydroxytryptamine (NAS), 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) (HPLC-EC) and tryptophan (Trp) were determined in the cerebral ganglia and ventral nerve cord (VNC) of both sexes of two acridids. In both species, the maximum values for all compounds appeared in the brain region, the converse occurring for Trp levels. 5-HT and its metabolites followed in both acridids the same tendency, males showing higher values than females. These male-female differences were markedly significant for NAS and 5-HIAA concentrations in Paracinema tricolor, and for 5-HT concentrations in Oedipoda caerulescens. Both acridids differed for brain concentrations of such compounds. Thus, P. tricolor showed the maximum values for NAS and 5-HIAA and O. caerulescens for 5-HT levels. Furthermore, in both species NAS represented about 75–90% of both catabolic products considered as a whole. The results support the idea of a coexistence of N-acetylation and oxidative deamination in both acridids, with higher importance of the 5-HT N-acetyl derivative. A differential 5-HT turnover between sexes is also suggested.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
