Effects of intrathecal and systemic administration of buspirone on genital reflexes and mating behavior in male rats.
Buspirone was studied to determine whether the detailed profile of male sexual behavior observed following treatment with the prototypical 5-HT1A ligand, 8-OH-DPAT, can be generalized to other 5-HT1A agonist drugs. Systemic and intrathecal (IT) routes of administration were compared. Like DPAT, significant reduction in intromission frequency followed IT infusion of buspirone (80-160 micrograms) as did intraperitoneal (IP) injection (1-4 mg/kg). IT doses of 80-160 micrograms and all IP doses significantly reduced ejaculation latency. Intercopulatory interval significantly decreased following IP buspirone but not after IT infusion although there were trends in that direction. All IP doses and 80 micrograms IT significantly shortened the postejaculatory interval. Buspirone inhibited erection and/or ejaculation in the ex copula reflex test. A decrease in percentage of rats displaying erections and ejaculation occurred following either route of administration. Ejaculation was significantly inhibited at the low IT dose of 40 micrograms. We conclude that buspirone affects sexual behavior very much like DPAT or other 5-HT1A drugs, to the extent known. Sexual effects of buspirone were generally similar regardless of route of administration, but the effective doses were clearly lower with IT treatment.
Mathes
C W
CW
Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA 94305-5070.
Smith
E R
ER
Popa
B R
BR
Davidson
J M
JM
D000818:Animals; D002065:Buspirone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004542:Ejaculation / Q000187:drug effects*; D007274:Injections, Intraperitoneal; D007278:Injections, Spinal; D008297:Male; D010410:Penile Erection / Q000187:drug effects*; D051381:Rats; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects*
D002065:Buspirone