Testosterone reduces cumulative burying in female Wistar rats with minimal participation of estradiol |
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Authors: | Ana G Gutirrez-García Carlos M Contreras Diana I Vsquez-Hernndez Tania Molina-Jimnez Emma Jacome-Jacome |
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Institution: | Ana G. Gutiérrez-García, Carlos M. Contreras, Diana I. Vásquez-Hernández, Tania Molina-Jiménez,Emma Jacome-Jacome |
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Abstract: | Testosterone exerts anxiolytic effects, but the participation of its aromatase metabolic product estradiol is controversial. Therefore, we used the defensive burying paradigm in female Wistar rats to explore testosterone's (1.0 mg/rat, s.c.) interactions with picrotoxin (a noncompetitive γ-aminobutyric acid-A receptor GABAA] antagonist; 1.0 mg/kg, i.p.), formestane (an aromatase inhibitor; 3.0 mg/rat, s.c.), and tamoxifen (an estrogen receptor-β antagonist; 1.0 mg/kg, s.c.). Serum levels of testosterone, estradiol, and progesterone were determined in the same rats. Burying latency and locomotion did not significantly change. Systemic testosterone administration enhanced serum testosterone and estradiol levels and reduced defensive burying. This reduction in total burying was blocked by pretreatment with picrotoxin and tamoxifen, but not formestane. We conclude that testosterone produced anxiolytic-like effects in female rats that were mediated by actions at the GABAA receptor, with participation of the estradiol receptor-β, rather than estradiol aromatization. |
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Keywords: | Anxiety Defensive burying test Estradiol Formestane Tamoxifen Testosterone |
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