Effects of Hallucinogenic and Tranquilizing Drugs on Serotonin Evoked Uterine Contractions.

The tranquilizing drugs Frenquel, chlorpromazine, and reserpine block serotonin-induced contractions in the uterus of spayed rats, without affecting responses to acetylcholine or oxytocin. Reserpine's blocking effect lasts longer than chlorpromazine's, and Frenquel's is shortest. Mescaline enhances serotonin's effects and, at high doses, directly contracts the uterus, an action not blocked by atropine. High concentrations of LSD (1 γ/L) antagonize both serotonin- and mescaline-induced uterine activity, whereas low concentrations (0.05 to 0.2 γ/L) facilitate these effects.

Study at a glance

Abstract

SummaryTranquilizing drugs: Frenquel (0.8 mg/1), chlorpromazine (0.1 mg/1) and reserpine (0.4 mg/1), antagonize serotonin-induced uterine contractions, though they do not affect sensitivity of the uterus of the spayed rat either to ACh or oxytocin. The period of antagonism is longer lasting with reserpine than with chlorpromazine and is shortest with Frenquel. Mescaline (0.1 mg/1) causes a facilitation of serotonin activity, and in highest amounts causes a uterine contraction by itself. However, it is not antagonized by atropine (0.24 mg/1). A relatively high concentration of LSD (1 γ/1) antagonizes both serotonin and mescaline-induced uterine activity. In contrast low concentrations of LSD (0.05 to 0.2 γ/1) facilitate the effects of serotonin and of mescaline on the rat uterus.