Evidence for differential effects of 8-OH-DPAT on male and female rats in the Anxiety/Defense Test Battery.
The Proxemics/Activity test and the Eat/Drink test, two components of the Anxiety/Defense Test Battery, were developed to measure defensive reactions to situations associated with a natural predator (cat). In the present studies the behavioral effects of 8-OH-DPAT treatment (0.01-1.0 mg/kg, SC) were entirely consistent with anxiety/fear reduction. These effects included an increase in time spent near the cat compartment, and a complimentary decrease in time spent farthest from this compartment, together with an increase in transits and locomote behavior. 8-OH-DPAT (1.0 mg/kg) also increased eat frequencies and durations (highly preferred food) both during and following cat presentation, without influencing drinking. This finding is discussed with reference to previous findings with 8-OH-DPAT in studies assessing both food intake and anxiolysis. Interestingly, 8-OH-DPAT was more potent in a majority of its effects in female subjects, a finding consistent with recent neurochemical data. These findings provide important behavioral evidence for a sexual differentiation in 5-HT function, and support the case for greater emphasis on female subjects in animal models of anxiety.
Blanchard
D C
DC
Bekesy Laboratory of Neurobiology, University of Hawaii, Honolulu 96822.
Shepherd
J K
JK
Rodgers
R J
RJ
Blanchard
R J
RJ
D017371:8-Hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin; D000374:Aggression / Q000187:drug effects*; D000818:Animals; D001007:Anxiety / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D002415:Cats; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D013764:Tetrahydronaphthalenes / Q000494:pharmacology*
D013764:Tetrahydronaphthalenes; D017371:8-Hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin