Timing of neonatal testosterone exposure in the differentiation of estrogenic regulatory systems for aggression.
Neonatal female CF-1 mice were exposed to testosterone (T) or oil vehicle on Days 1-3, 4-6, or 7-9 postpartum and were tested for the display of male-like aggressive behavior in response to diethylstilbestrol (DES) after ovariectomy during adulthood. The results showed that only the Day 1-3 T treatment established the capacity to exhibit fighting behavior following estrogen administration. These data suggest that sexual differentiation of an estrogen-responsive regulatory system for aggressive behavior occurs during a highly restricted period early in life.
Klein
W P
WP
Department of Psychology, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA 18015.
Simon
N G
NG
D000374:Aggression / Q000502:physiology*; D000378:Agonistic Behavior / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D001143:Arousal / Q000502:physiology; D004958:Estradiol / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D051379:Mice; D011247:Pregnancy; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology; D012733:Sex Differentiation / Q000502:physiology*; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal / Q000502:physiology*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000502:physiology*
D013739:Testosterone; D004958:Estradiol