The effect of 5-HT 2a/2c receptor agonist microinjected into central amygdaloid nucleus and median preoptic area on maternal aggressive behavior in rats Efeito sobre o comportamento materno agressivo de ratos da microinjeção do agonista seletivo de receptores 5-HT 2a/2c no núcleo central da amígdala e na área pré-óptica medial A b s t r a c t Objective: Much evidence supports the hypothesis that 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) activation is related to the inhibition of aggression. We examined potentially pro-and anti-aggressive effects of the 5-HT 2A/2C receptor agonist on specific brain sites. Method: Female Wistar rats on the 7 th day postpartum were microinjected with the selective 5-HT 2A/2C receptor agonist, α-methyl-5-hydroxytryptamine maleate (0.2 to 1.0 μg/0.2 μl) into the central amygdaloid nucleus and median preoptic nucleus. For each brain area studied, the frequency of the behaviors: locomotion, social investigation, lateral threat, attacks (frontal and lateral), and biting the intruder were compared among the various treatments by an Analysis of Variance, followed when appropriate, by Tukey's test. Results: Microinjection of the selective 5-HT 2A/2C receptor agonist, a-methyl-5-hydroxytryptamine maleate into central amygdaloid nucleus increased maternal aggression in the absence of concurrent changes in non-aggressive behavior. By contrast, microinjection of the selective 5-HT 2A/2C receptor agonist at several dilutions into the median preoptic nucleusdid not alter aggressive behavior. Conclusions: The current and earlier data with pro-and anti-aggressive effects of the 5-HT 2a/2c receptor agonist, when microinjected into the median preoptic nucleus relative to the central amygdaloid nucleus, medial septum and periaqueductal grey area in female rats point to functionally separate serotonin receptor populations in the amygdaloid-septal-hypothalamic and periaqueductal gray matter areas controlling aggressive behavior. It is possible that amygdaloid 5-HT 2a/2c receptors may increase aggressive behavior in lactating females as a result of changes in fear.Keywords: Serotonin agonist; Behavior, animal; Rats, Wistar; Maternal behavior; Violence Resumo Objetivo: Resultados de muitos estudos sustentam a hipótese de que a serotonina (5-HT) está relacionada com a inibição do comportamento agressivo. Foram examinados os efeitos potenciais pró e anti-agressivos do agonista de receptores 5-HT 2A/2C em regiões específicas do cérebro. Método: Ratas fêmeas Wistar no sétimo dia pós-parto receberam microinjeções do agonista seletivo de receptores 5-HT 2A/2C , α-methyl-5-hydroxytryptamine maleate (0,2 a 1,0 μg/0,2 μl), no núcleo central da amígdala e núcleo pré-óptico medial. Para cada área estudada, as freqüências dos comportamentos: locomoção, investigação social, postura de ameaça, ataques (frontal e lateral) e ato de morder um intruso, foram comparadas entre os diferentes tratamentos por uma análise da variância, seguida quando apropriado do teste de Tukey. Resultados: Os resultados mostraram que a microinjeção do agoni...