Rostral hypothalamic microinfusions of 5,7 dihydroxytryptamine produce anatomically and neurochemically selective depletions of hippocampal serotonin and increase the influence of estrogen and food deprivation on locomotor activity.

Ovariectomized Long-Evans rats received bilateral rostral hypothalamic infusions of 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine (5,7-DHT). Neurochemical determination of catecholamines (CA) and indoleamines in the hippocampus, hypothalamus and mesencephalon revealed that 5,7-DHT infusions had no effect on CA content in these areas nor in mesencephalic serotonin or 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA). However, the neurotoxin produced significant decreases in hippocampal serotonin and 5-HIAA.