[Gender-related differences in functional assessment of serotonergic system in healthy young subjects].

Introduction: Prolactin stimulation test with serotonergic stimulants has been widely used in the study of diverse psychiatric disorders. However, the characterization of this response in normal subjects is still incomplete.

Objective: To compare the response to serotonin stimulation using dexfenfluramine, a specific serotonergic agent, in young healthy men and women, controlling the menstrual cycle.

Methods: A total of 10 women and 9 men, who were given 30 mg of dexfenfluramine orally, were studied and their levels of prolactin were measured on an hourly basis for a five-hour period. Baseline, maximum and delta values of prolactin were compared for both groups.

Results: According to the age groups studied (mean age for men: 19.9 +/- 2.5 years old; mean age for women: 20 +/- 1.5 years old), the prolactin maximum level and the response to prolactin (DPRL) were significantly higher in women (p-values: 0.02 and 0.04, respectively).

Conclusions: Young healthy women show a greater response to stimulation with dexfenfluramine than young healthy men. Clinical and biological implications of this observation are discussed in the context of the currently available research papers.