The behavioral and toxicological effects of testosterone pellet implantation.
Forty gonadally intact male Wistar rats, 200-225 g, were utilized to study the behavioral and physiological effects of testosterone (T) pellet administration. T was administered via pellets (10, 25, 50, and 100 mg) implanted subcutaneously in the dorsal region of the neck. Fifty mg lactate pellets were utilized as the control. T plasma levels were determined using RIA procedures on days 30, 60, and 90 after pellet implantation. T (50 and 100 mg) resulted in plasma concentrations significantly greater than controls. T (100 mg) and lactate control groups were subjected to a competition situation utilizing an estrogen-primed female as the goal object. Subjects were exposed to the test procedure prior to the implantation of the pellets. T resulted in previously defined losers becoming winners in the competition situation on days 30, 60, and 90 post-implantation. T implantation did not significantly affect muricidal behavior as compared to lactate controls. On day 90, the subjects were sacrificed, and the organ/body-weight ratios determined for the heart, liver, testes, and skeletal muscles of the left shoulder girdle. T (100 mg) resulted in a decrease in the testes/body-weight ratio as compared to controls, while the liver/body-weight ratio was increased in this group T (100 mg) also resulted in an increase in the activity of serum enzyme glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT) on day 90 post-implantation. Food intake and body weight were monitored throughout the course of the study. However, no significant differences from controls were noted.
Mitchell
J A
JA
Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, University 38677.
Wilson
M C
MC
D000374:Aggression / Q000187:drug effects*; D000818:Animals; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000097:blood; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D004343:Drug Implants; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000633:toxicity
D004343:Drug Implants; D013739:Testosterone; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases