title: Corticotropin-releasing factor antagonist blocks stress-induced fighting in rats.
abstract: Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) has been shown to have potent central nervous system-activating effects when administered intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v.). In the present experiment, this activating effect was exaggerated by use of a stress-motivated behavioral paradigm. Low doses of CRF (0.01 and 0.1 micrograms/rat) administered i.c.v. facilitated stress-induced fighting. More importantly, alpha-helical CRF-(9-41), a CRF antagonist, blocked stress-induced fighting produced by higher levels of stress. These results suggest that CRF in the central nervous system may have a role in mediating behavioral responses to stress.
mesh_terms: D000374:Aggression / Q000187:drug effects*; D000818:Animals; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004597:Electroshock; D008297:Male; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*
chemical_list: D010446:Peptide Fragments; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone; C045089:corticotropin releasing hormone (9-41)