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.
Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, University 38677.
J A
JA
Mitchell
M C
MC
Wilson
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