The effect of 5-HT(2a/2c) receptor agonist microinjected into central amygdaloid nucleus and median preoptic area on maternal aggressive behavior in rats.

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 7th day postpartum were microinjected with the selective 5-HT(2A/2C) receptor agonist, alpha-methyl-5-hydroxytryptamine maleate (0.