Disinhibitory behavior and GABA(A) receptor function in serotonin-depleted adult male rats are reduced by gonadectomy.

Abstract

Impulsive and aggressive behaviors in, e.g., personality or substance abuse disorders in man and corresponding behaviors in rats may involve serotonin (5-HT), gamma-amino-butyric acid(A)/benzodiazepine receptor complexes (GABA(A)/BDZ-RC) and steroid hormones, e.g., testosterone. Here, we studied the effect of gonadectomy on disinhibitory behavior in individually housed 5-HT-depleted rats and on GABA(A)/BDZ-RC function in vitro, in corticohippocampal synaptoneurosomes prepared from the brain of these animals. 5-HT depletion by intracerebroventricular 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine (5,7-DHT)-induced disinhibitory behavior in a shock-induced behavioral inhibition model (punished conflict model) 14 days after operation. Gonadectomy in connection with the 5-HT depletion reduced the disinhibitory behavior and testosterone substitution prevented this effect. Shock threshold and drinking motivation were not affected by gonadectomy and/or 5-HT depletion. The relative epididymides weight was increased in 5-HT-depleted as compared to sham-operated rats. However, the serum concentrations of testosterone and the relative testes weights were not different in 5-HT-depleted rats as compared to controls. GABA-induced (30, 100, 300 microM) 36Cl(-)-uptake into synaptoneurosomes was lower in 5,7-DHT+gonadectomized rats compared to the control group. This effect was reversed by substitution with testosterone. These results demonstrate that gonadectomy reduces disinhibitory behavior in 5-HT-depleted rats and that GABA(A)/BDZ-RC may be involved in this effect.

• Authors: A I Svensson, A Berntsson, J A Engel, B Söderpalm
• Journal: Pharmacology, biochemistry, and behavior (Pharmacol Biochem Behav) Vol. 67 Issue 3 Pg. 613-20 (Nov 2000) ISSN: 0091-3057 [Print] United States
• PMID: 11164093 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Receptors, GABA-A
• Serotonin Agents
• 5,7-Dihydroxytryptamine
• Serotonin

Topics

• 5,7-Dihydroxytryptamine
• Animals
• Behavior, Animal (physiology)
• Cerebral Cortex (metabolism)
• Hippocampus (metabolism)
• Inhibition, Psychological
• Male
• Orchiectomy
• Rats
• Rats, Sprague-Dawley
• Receptors, GABA-A (metabolism)
• Serotonin (metabolism)
• Serotonin Agents