Effect of 5-hydroxytryptamine on the peripheral chemoreceptors in the rat.

5-Hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), in the doses of 2-5 mug/kg injected into the carotid body area, produced a significant increase in the respiratory rate and carotid sinus nerve activity. Selective ablation of the ipsilateral carotid sinus nerve abolished the respiratory stimulation produced by the drug. On the other hand, the same doses of 5-HT injected into the ascending aorta did not produce stimulation of respiration when the carotid sinus nerves were sectioned. The activity of the aortic nerves did not increase after injecting the drug into the ascending aorta or at the root of the right subclavian artery. These results indicate that 5-HT stimulates the chemoreceptors in the carotid body of the rat. The lack of responses to the injections of the drug in the aortic or subclavian region was due to the absence of chemoreceptors in these regions of the rat.