Effects of cyclic hydrostatic pressure on the brain biogenic amines concentrations in the flounder, Platichthys flesus

The present study evaluated the effects of cyclic variations of hydrostatic pressure (HP) on neurotransmitters in the whole brain of flounder. The concentrations of the biogenic amines L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA), dopamine (DA), norepinephrine (NE), epinephrine (E), 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC), homovanillic acid (HVA), 3-methoxytyramine (3-MT), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and 5-hydroxyindolacetic acid (5-HIAA) were measured. Fish were subjected to HP cyclic variations which mimic naturally occurring conditions for a period of 14 days. DA, NE and 5-HT concentrations were significantly smaller by 21, 24 and 36%, respectively, compared to control fish. The concentrations of monoamine metabolites HVA, 3-MT and 5-HIAA were also smaller than those in control fish. These results suggest that central monoaminergic systems were influenced during long exposure to cyclic HP. The decreases of central neurotransmitters content might be involved in the physiological and behavioral responses to intermittent HP in fish.