INHIBITION OF THE SECRETION OF INTERMEDINE BY D-LYSERGIC ACID DIETHYLAMIDE (LSD 25) IN THE TOAD, XENOPUS LAEVIS
European Journal of Endocrinology – October 01, 1958
Source: OpenAlex
Summary
D-lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) significantly alters behavior and color in lower vertebrates, including fish and amphibians. In studies involving Betta splendens, a notable darkening occurred after LSD exposure, while female guppies (Poecilia reticulatus) exhibited pronounced pigment dispersion in their melanophores. Specifically, Cerletti & Berde demonstrated this effect both in vivo and in vitro. These findings suggest that LSD may directly influence the dermal melanophores, showcasing its potential impact on neuroendocrine regulation and behavior across diverse species.
Abstract
In the last ten years the psychic actions of the drug D-lysergic acid diethylamide LSD-251, delysid (Sandoz Ltd, Basle)] have been extensively studied in man and other mammals. Little work, however, has been done on its action in lower Vertebrates. It was found that in fishes and amphibians the influence of LSD manifests itself in both behaviour- and colour-changes. Besides characteristic changes in behaviour a distinct darkening of the teleost fish Betta splendens was obtained with LSD by Abramson & Evans (1954) and Evans et al. (1956). Moreover, Cerletti & Berde (1955), and Berde & Cerletti (1956, 1957) demonstrated that LSD causes a marked pigment dispersion in the melanophores of the female guppy, Lebistes (= Poecilia) reticulatus, in vivo as well as in vitro. Hence, the last mentioned authors assumed that LSD acts directly on the dermal melanophores of this fish. Kahr & Fischer (1957) injected LSD into normal and