Effects of serotonin 1A or 1B receptor agonists on social aggression in male and female Syrian hamsters.
Numerous studies have demonstrated that activation of serotonin 5-HT1A or 5-HT1B receptor decreases aggression in male mammals. To determine whether female mammals also show decreased aggression in response to 5-HT1A or 5-HT1B activation, we assessed the effects of the serotonin receptor agonists 8-OH-DPAT (5-HT1A) and CGS-12066A (5-HT1B) on aggression in female Syrian hamsters. Female Syrian hamsters were tested for interfemale aggression 2 days before and 15 min after receiving intracerebroventricular infusions of 8-OH-DPAT (5, 10, 20 microg) or CGS-12066A (5, 10, 20 microg). Neither drug affected aggression as measured by the latency and frequency of attacks or uprights, although the highest dose of 8-OH-DPAT increased general activity. For male hamsters, intraventricular infusions of 10 microg of 8-OH-DPAT essentially eliminated aggression, whereas 5 microg of 8-OH-DPAT or 20 microg of CGS-12066A were without effect. Systemic treatment with 8-OH-DPAT (1 mg/kg body weight) did reduce aggression in females, although there was an attendant increase in symptoms of nonspecific serotonergic activity. There were no behavioral effects of systemic CGS-12066A (4 mg/kg body weight) on female hamsters. These results indicate that there may be sex differences in the neurochemical regulation of aggression and point to a need for more studies directed at this issue.
Joppa
M A
MA
Department of Psychological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, USA.
Rowe
R K
RK
Meisel
R L
RL
D017371:8-Hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000374:Aggression / Q000187:drug effects*; D000818:Animals; D006224:Cricetinae; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D011810:Quinoxalines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012737:Sex Factors; D012919:Social Behavior
D011810:Quinoxalines; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists; C052561:CGS 12066B; D017371:8-Hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin