Inhibitory effect of buspirone and diazepam, but not of 8-OH-DPAT, on maternal behavior and aggression.
The action of diazepam (0.0, 1.0, and 2.0 mg/kg) and the serotonergic compounds buspirone (0.0, 2.5, and 5.0 mg/kg) and 8-OH-DPAT (0.0, 0.1, and 1.0 mg/kg) on maternal behavior and aggression were studied. An activity test was made after these treatments to control for unspecific actions due to motor impairment. Diazepam and buspirone dose-dependently inhibited the expression of maternal aggression and the active components of maternal behavior such as retrieving and nest building. 8-OH-DPAT did not affect these behaviors. 8-OH-DPAT (1.0 mg/kg) provoked the serotonergic syndrome and hypothermia; however, ovariectomized animals showed more signs of the syndrome and a decrease in body temperature after 8-OH-DPAT than lactating rats. Buspirone, but not the other anxiolytics, reduced motor activity. The role of drugs acting at the serotonergic, dopaminergic, and GABA-benzodiazepine systems in the control of maternal behavior and aggression is discussed.
Ferreira
A
A
Departamento de Farmacología y Toxicología, CINVESTAV/IPN and División de Investigaciones en Neurociencias, IMP, D.F., México, Mexico.
Picazo
O
O
Uriarte
N
N
Pereira
M
M
Fernández-Guasti
A
A
D017371:8-Hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000374:Aggression / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D001831:Body Temperature / Q000187:drug effects; D002065:Buspirone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003975:Diazepam / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D007774:Lactation / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D008425:Maternal Behavior / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology
D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists; D017371:8-Hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin; D003975:Diazepam; D002065:Buspirone