Serotonin Concentrations in the Lumbosacral Spinal Cord of the Adult Rat Following Microinjection or Dorsal Surface Application

Abstract

Application of neuroactive substances, including monoamines, is common in studies examining the spinal mechanisms of sensation and behavior. However, affected regions and time courses of transmitter activity are uncertain. We measured the spatial and temporal distribution of serotonin [5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)] in the lumbosacral spinal cord of halothane-anesthetized adult rats, following its intraspinal microinjection or surface application. Carbon fiber microelectrodes (CFMEs) were positioned at various locations in the spinal cord and oxidation currents corresponding to extracellular 5-HT were measured by fast cyclic voltammetry. Intraspinal microinjection of 5-HT (100 μM, 1–3 μl) produced responses that were most pronounced at CFMEs positioned ≤800 μm from the drug micropipette: 5-HT concentration was significantly higher (1.43 vs.