Monoamines and Their Precursors and Metabolites in the Chicken Brain, Pineal, and Retina: Regional Distribution and Day/Night Variations

Levels of norepinephrine, epinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin (5-HT) and their precursors [tyrosine, L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine, tryptophan, and 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)] and metabolites [3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC), 3-methoxytyramine (3-MT), homovanillic acid, 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol, and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA)] were determined concurrently in samples of chick retina, pineal gland, and nine selected areas of the brain (optic lobes, thalamus, hypothalamus, optic chiasm, pons/medulla, cerebellum, neostriatum/ectostriatum, hyperstriatum, and basal forebrain) using HPLC coupled with a coulometric electrode array detection system. The norepinephrine level was highest in the pineal gland, but it was also widely distributed throughout the chick brain, with the thalamus and hypothalamus showing substantial levels. The dopamine level was highest in the basal forebrain. The epinephrine level was highest in the hypothalamus. The thalamus and hypothalamus showed the highest levels of 5-HT. Daytime levels (1100 h) of these compounds were compared with levels in chicks killed in the middle of the dark phase (2300 h). In the brain areas examined, no day/night variations in levels of norepinephrine, epinephrine, dopamine, or 5-HT were seen, although significant nocturnal changes in levels of their metabolites were observed in some areas. Pineal levels of 5-HIAA decreased significantly at night. The retina showed significant nocturnal increases in 5-HTP, 5-HT, and 5-HIAA levels. Retinal levels of 3-MT and DOPAC were significantly decreased at night.