Stress-induced changes in brain serotonergic activity, plasma cortisol and aggressive behavior in Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus) is counteracted by L-DOPA

Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus) were tested for aggressive behavior using intruder tests, before and after 2 days of dyadic social interaction. Following social interaction, half of the dominant and half of the subordinate fish were given L-DOPA (10 mg/kg, orally), whereas the remaining dominant and subordinate fish were given vehicle.

One hour following drug treatment, the fish were tested for aggressive behavior again in a third and final intruder test, after which blood plasma and brain tissue were sampled for analysis of plasma cortisol concentrations and brain levels of monoamines and monoamine metabolites. Subordinate fish showed a reduction in the number of attacks launched against the intruder, as well as an increase in attack latency, as compared to prior to dyadic social interactions.

Social subordination also resulted in an elevation of brain serotonergic activity. Fish receiving L-DOPA prior to the final intruder test showed shorter attack latency than vehicle controls. Drug treatment was a stressful experience and vehicle controls showed elevated plasma cortisol levels and longer attack latency as compared to before treatment.

L-DOPA-treated fish showed lower plasma levels of cortisol and lower serotonergic activity in certain brain areas than vehicle controls. These results suggest that L-DOPA counteracts the stress-induced inhibition of aggressive behavior, and at the same time inhibits stress-induced effects on brain serotonergic activity and plasma cortisol concentrations.