Estrus variation in anxiolytic-like effects of intra-lateral septal infusions of the neuropeptide Y in Wistar rats in two animal models of anxiety-like behavior.
Anxiolytic-like effects of intra-lateral septal infusions of the neuropeptide Y (NPY) were assessed during several estrus phases in Wistar rats tested in two animal models of anxiety-like behavior. In a conflict operant test, results showed that during late proestrus, intra-lateral septal nuclei infusions of NPY (1.0 microg/microl, P<0.05; 2.0 microg/microl, P<0.05; 2.5 microg/microl, P<0.05) increased the number of immediately punished responses. During metestrus-diestrus only the highest doses of NPY (2.5 microg/microl, P<0.05) increased the number of immediately punished reinforcers. In the elevated plus-maze test, results showed that during late proestrus, intra-lateral septal nuclei infusions of NPY (1.0 microg/microl, P<0.05; 2.0 microg/microl, P<0.05) produced anxiolytic-like actions. During metestrus-diestrus only the highest doses of NPY (2.0 microg/microl, P<0.05) produced anxiolytic-like actions. Neither NPY nor estrus phases significantly modified the number of closed arms entries in the elevated plus-maze test. It is concluded that anxiolytic-like effects of NPY vary within the estrus cycle in Wistar rats.
Molina-Hernández
Miguel
M
Laboratorio de Psicobiología y Etología, Instituto de Investigaciones Psicológicas, Universidad Veracruzana, POB 361, Jalapa, Veracruz 91000, Mexico. mimoli@todito.com
Olivera-Lopez
Jorge I
JI
Patricia Tellez-Alcántara
N
N
Pérez-García
Julían
J
Teresa Jaramillo
M
M
D000818:Animals; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001522:Behavior, Animal; D001921:Brain / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000378:metabolism; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004971:Estrus / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018782:Maze Learning / Q000187:drug effects; D009478:Neuropeptide Y / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012686:Septal Nuclei / Q000187:drug effects*
D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D009478:Neuropeptide Y