The differential effect of the anxiolytic agent 8-OH-DPAT during lactation is independent of pup withdrawal and maternal behavior.
Injection of the serotonergic agonist, 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino-tetralin (8-OH-DPAT) (0.5 mg/kg ip) produced a clear anxiolytic-like effect (as measured in the burying behavior test), after parturition, which remains until day 6 of lactation. Thereafter 8-OH-DPAT completely lacked action. In order to analyze whether lactation prevented the action of 8-OH-DPAT, dams were separated from their pups for five consecutive days. The blockade of the anxiolytic effect of 8-OH-DPAT does not disappear by isolation of the mothers from their offspring or from neighboring pups. Finally, to investigate the possible role of maternal behavior in the blockade of the anxiolytic effect of 8-OH-DPAT a third experiment was made in which ovariectomized females were rendered maternal by the sensitization procedure. These females respond normally to the antianxiety actions of 8-OH-DPAT. Results suggest that a long-term clue triggered by lactation, possibly related to prolactin secretion, interferes with the anxiolytic effect of 8-OH-DPAT.
Escuela Superior de Medicina, Instituto Politécnico Nacional Plan de San Luis y Diaz Mirón. Col. Sto. Tomás., 11340, México City, Mexico. rifo99@mixmail.com
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D017371:8-Hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001143:Arousal / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D007774:Lactation / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D008425:Maternal Behavior / Q000187:drug effects*; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012934:Social Isolation
D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists; D017371:8-Hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin; D011388:Prolactin