Modulation of affect after chronic exposure to the anabolic steroid 17alpha-methyltestosterone in adult mice.
A battery of behavioral tasks in C57BL/6J mice was used to assess changes in affective components of behavior after systemic exposure to the anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS) 17alpha-methyltestosterone (7.5 mg/kg). Gonadal weight in both sexes was reduced after 16 days of AAS exposure. Changes in discrete components of social behaviors were observed. No changes were recorded in the elevated plus-maze, the light-dark transition, and defensive behavior tests on exposure to 17alpha-methyltestosterone. When compared with controls, AAS-exposed females received a greater number of shocks, and AAS-exposed males displayed a shorter recovery time to consume water after a negative reinforcer in the modified Vogel conflict test. Results show that systemic exposure to a single AAS modified social behaviors, whereas minimal effects on anxiety-related behaviors were observed according to sex.
Barreto-Estrada
Jennifer L
JL
Department of Anatomy, Medical Sciences Campus, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, PR 00936, USA.
Barreto
Johannie
J
Fortis-Santiago
Yaihara
Y
Rivera-Ramos
Isamar
I
Fortis-Santiago
Azarhí
A
Jorge
Juan Carlos
JC
D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D008777:Methyltestosterone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D012919:Social Behavior
D008777:Methyltestosterone