Participation of the GABA-benzodiazepine system in the inhibition of defensive burying produced by ejaculation.
We recently reported a reduction in defensive burying behaviour after ejaculation. The present study analyzed whether this reduction was mediated via an increase in GABAergic transmission. Two experimental series were included: in the first series the reduction in burying behaviour was blocked by Ro 15-1788 (5 and 10 mg/kg), bicuculline (2.5 mg/kg) and picrotoxin (0.5 mg/kg). In the second series the effect of ejaculation on defensive burying was potentiated by diazepam (0.5 mg/kg) or muscimol (0.5 mg/kg). With the exception of 10 mg/kg of Ro 15-1788 these treatments did not affect the basal burying behaviour levels. The results support the hypothesis that the GABA-benzodiazepine system participates in the reduction in burying behaviour found after ejaculation, and are discussed on the basis of neurochemical and pharmacological data indicating an increase in GABAergic transmission during the postejaculatory interval.
Fernández-Guasti
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Sección de Terapéutica Experimental, Departamento de Farmacología y Toxicología, CINVESTAV, México D.F., and División de Investigaciones en Neurociencias, Insituto Mexicano de Psiquiatria, México D.F., México Correspondence to: Dr A. Femández-Guasti Sección de Terapéutica Experimental, Departamento de Farmacologia y Toxicología, Centro de Investigación y Estudios Avanzados, Ap. Postal 22026, México 14000 D.F. México.
Saldívar
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