Determination of the neuropeptides arginine vasotocin and isotocin in brains of three-spined sticklebacks (Gasterosteus aculeatus) by off-line solid phase extraction-liquid chromatography-electrospray tandem mass spectrometry

J Chromatogr A. 2007 May 25;1150(1-2):290-4. doi: 10.1016/j.chroma.2006.08.084. Epub 2006 Sep 25.

Abstract

A method based on solid phase extraction (SPE) followed by liquid chromatography-electrospray ionisation tandem mass spectrometry for the determination of the nonapeptides arginine vasotocin (AVT) and isotocin (IT) in brains of three-spined sticklebacks (Gasterosteus aculeatus) is described. Separation and detection were optimized using synthetic standards. Limits of detection (LOD) for standard solutions were 160 pg mL(-1) for AVT and 250 pg mL(-1) for IT. The SPE procedure hardly affected the LODs for standard solutions. Mainly because of ion suppression, LODs for AVT and IT in brains were approximately 5 and 25 pg mg(-1), respectively. The concentrations determined in the brain of several fishes ranged from 10 to 500 pg mg(-1) for AVT and from 400 to 4000 pg mg(-1) for IT.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Brain Chemistry*
  • Chromatography, Liquid / methods*
  • Oxytocin / analogs & derivatives*
  • Oxytocin / analysis
  • Oxytocin / chemistry
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Smegmamorpha / metabolism*
  • Solid Phase Extraction / methods*
  • Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization / methods*
  • Vasotocin / analysis*
  • Vasotocin / chemistry

Substances

  • Oxytocin
  • isotocin
  • Vasotocin