Effect of undernutrition and subsequent rehabilitation on brain 5-HT (serotonin) profile of developing newborn rats

For littermate comparison, undernutrition in half of the pups of a litter was induced by 12h maternal deprivation from day 5 to day 18 postnatal. Subsequently, undernourished suckling rats were rehabilitated. Brain 5-HT concentrations and its turnover rate were measured on different days of age up to the period of 3 months. Brain 5-HT concentration was approximately half of the adult level at birth and increased progressively, except with a steep fall on day 18 postnatal, to the adult level by day 25 postnatal and thereafter it did not vary much on different days of age. Undernourished newborn rats showed significantly low level of brain 5-HT on day 9 and significantly higher concentrations on day 12 and 18 postnatal, whereas, rehabilitated rats showed comparable brain 5-HT concentrations with that of their nourished littermates. It is concluded that undernutrition had affected the brain 5-HT concentration and its turnover rate. Brain 5-HT concentration was low during early phase and was more during late phase of undernutrition. Rehabilitation of undernourished rats restored the brain 5-HT concentration similar to that of their nourished littermates.