Testosterone modulates mesolimbic dopaminergic activity in male rats.
Male rats were castrated before puberty. When they were adult, the activity of their mesolimbic dopamine system was tested by ventral striatum microdialysis. Amphetamine injections increased dopamine more in castrated rats than in normal rats. This exaggerated response was attenuated by testosterone replacement therapy. The mechanism by which androgens modulate the activity of the mesolimbic dopamine system is discussed.
Hernandez
L
L
Laboratory of Behavioral Physiology, Los Andes University, Venezuela.
Gonzalez
L
L
Murzi
E
E
Páez
X
X
Gottberg
E
E
Baptista
T
T
D000661:Amphetamine / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D004298:Dopamine / Q000378:metabolism*; D008032:Limbic System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D017551:Microdialysis; D009919:Orchiectomy; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013739:Testosterone / Q000502:physiology*
D013739:Testosterone; D000661:Amphetamine; D004298:Dopamine