Abstract
The purpose of this experiment was to observe the effects of castration and of androgen treatment on dopamine metabolism in the amygdala, septum and midbrain of the male rat. The animals were sham-operated or castrated five weeks prior to killing. Castrated animals received the injection vehicle (oil), testosterone decanoate (TD) or dihydrotestosterone (DHTD). In the septum of castrated rats, dopamine (DA) concentrations were elevated while the concentration of homovanillic acid (HVA) was reduced compared with sham animals. In the amygdala, castration was associated with an elevation of dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC). TD treatment reversed the effects found in both brain areas. DHTD had no effect on septal dopaminergic metabolism but DHTD was associated with a reduction in DOPAC concentration and an elevation in DA concentration. The present results would tend to support the view that testosterone acts to reduce dopaminergic activity.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 260-261 |
| Number of pages | 2 |
| Journal | IRCS Medical Science |
| Volume | 9 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| State | Published - 1981 |
| Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology