Serotonin Content of the Interscapular Brown Adipose Tissue of Growing Rats

Summary

In brown fat of newborn rats the serotonin (5HT) content is high during the first five days of life. This may play a part in the lipid repletion of the tissue, lipids being the main fuel for nonshivering thermogenesis. Subsequently 5HT increases more in young rats reared at 16°C than in those reared at 28°C but to a lesser extent than norepinephrine (NE) content. A possible role of 5HT in thermoregulation of the rat during the early postnatal period is discussed.

Key words

Serotonin - Brown Fat - Cold - Growing Rats