Effect of fetal digoxin exposure (imprinting) on the sexual behavior of adult rats.
1. Digoxin exposure of rat fetuses at the 15th, 17th and 19th day of pregnancy by treating the mother (with 9 microg digoxin altogether) caused alterations in the sexual behavior of adult rats (3-month-old males and six-month-old ovariectomized and hormone-treated females). 2. The number of active males was significantly higher in the treated group and ejaculation as well as multiple ejaculation occurred only here. Females also were more receptable after fetal digoxin treatment. It is known from the literature that long-term digoxin treatment in adult age influences (reduces) the male sexual activity in humans. In the rat, the opposite effect was observed after fetal treatment. 3. The experiments call attention to the prolonged effect of fetal digoxin exposure caused by the treatment of the mother.
Department of Genetics, Cell and Immunobiology, Semmelweis University of Medicine, Budapest, Hungary.
C
C
Karabélyos
G
G
Csaba
D000818:Animals; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004077:Digoxin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects*
D002316:Cardiotonic Agents; D004077:Digoxin