A Fast HPLC Analysis Of Catecholamines and Indoleamines in Avian Brain Tissue

Abstract

A fast HPLC method for the determination of monoamine levels in avian brain tissue, using a short 3 micron column and electrochemical detection, is presented. This system simultaneously analyzes 18 catecholamines, indoleamines, metabolites, and internal standards, without further sample preparation, in 20 minutes. Contrary to reports involving the mammalian species, incubation of the tissue homogenate with ascorbate oxidase and/or urate oxidase does not significantly alter the analysis under the reported conditions. The assay was used to evaluate differences in the neurochemical content of brain tissue from chickens divergently selected for 42 day exponential growth rate.