RESUMEN
This study examined the effects of anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) on aggression under different social and environmental conditions. Three AAS were tested in gonadally intact male rats: testosterone propionate (TP), nandrolone (ND), and stanozolol (ST). Doses of 5 mg/kg were given 5 times/week, with gonadally intact controls receiving vehicle only (propylene glycol). Animals received six weekly tests under each condition in a counterbalanced order. Results show that the three AAS differed in their ability to elicit aggression. Males receiving TP were more aggressive than controls, ND males were similar to controls, and ST males were less aggressive than controls. In the social and environmental provocation tests TP-treated males were more aggressive than other groups, but were able to discriminate between intact and castrated opponents and between their home cage and a neutral cage. In the environmental provocation test, TP males were also more aggressive against opponents when tested in the opponent's home cage. It is suggested that chronic exposure to high levels of TP does not eliminate the ability to discriminate between social or environmental cues, as might be expected if it induces a " 'roid rage." However, TP does increase the likelihood that the animal will respond with aggression/dominance in a provoking situation. All three AAS variably affected serum testosterone and LH levels, as well as testes, seminal vesicle, and prostate weights. No effect on body weight was observed.
Asunto(s)
Agresión/efectos de los fármacos , Anabolizantes/farmacología , Andrógenos/farmacología , Ambiente , Medio Social , Anabolizantes/química , Andrógenos/química , Animales , Peso Corporal/efectos de los fármacos , Genitales Masculinos/efectos de los fármacos , Genitales Masculinos/crecimiento & desarrollo , Hormona Luteinizante/sangre , Masculino , Nandrolona/farmacología , Orquiectomía , Tamaño de los Órganos/efectos de los fármacos , Ratas , Ratas Long-Evans , Estanozolol/farmacología , Relación Estructura-Actividad , Testosterona/sangre , Testosterona/farmacologíaRESUMEN
For further characterization of the olfactory bulb's role in the medication of chronobiological phenomena, we examined basal cyclic- 3',5'-adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) levels in the suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN) and lateral hippocampus (LHIP) following bilateral olfactory bulbectomy (OBX) to assess the effects of olfactory bulb removal on the biological clock. Two groups of adult Long-Evans rats underwent OBX or sham control surgery (SHAM). Eight weeks postoperative, the animals were decapitated at the time of maximal cAMP accumulation (circadian time 9-11 h), brains were removed, frozen in liquid nitrogen, and sectioned on a cryostat. Individual brain nuclei (SCN and LHIP) were microdissected using the Palkovits punch technique and analyzed by scintillation proximity assay for cAMP. We report a 83.6% increase in basal cAMP levels in the SCN following OBX (OBX = 63.7 pmol cAMP/mg protein, SHAM = 34.7 pmol cAMP/mg protein, p less than 0.01). No significant differences in LHIP cAMP levels were found. This specific increase in SCN cAMP, at the time of maximum cAMP accumulation, may give insight into the biochemical basis for altered activity levels following OBX.