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Serotonergic stereotypy and sexual behavior in the rat: regulation by corticosterone

University of British Columbia

Both adrenalectomy and the adrenal hormone corticosterone have been shown to alter serotonergic type 2A (5-HT2A) receptor activity. 5-HT2A receptors mediate effects on both "wet dog shakes" (WDS) and sexual behavior in the rat. In the present series of experiments, the potential involvement of corticosterone in the regulation of WDS and sexual behavior in the male and female rat was investigated. In Experiment 1, bilaterally-adrenalectomized rats were compared to sham-adrenalectomized rats in the frequency of both spontaneous WDS, and WDS following the adrninistration of the 5-HT2A agonist DOI. Adrenalectomy resulted in a significant reduction of DOI-induced WDS in both the male and female rat. In Experiment 2, rats chronically received either corticosterone or oil and were again scored for WDS behavior. Following DOI treatment, corticosterone effectively blocked the adrenalectomy-induced reduction of WDS in both the male and female rat. In Experiment 3, adrenally-intact male rats received either chronic corticosterone injections or oil injections. Rats were then compared on measures of both spontaneous and DOI-induced WDS and sexual behavior. Rats receiving chronic corticosterone exhibited a significant increase in WDS and a marked inhibition of male sexual behavior in both the spontaneous and DOI conditions. In Experiment 4, both adrenalectomized and sham-adrenalectomized females were divided into groups receiving either chronic corticosterone or oil. Rats were compared on measures of spontaneous and DOIinduced WDS and sexual behavior following the administration of estrogen alone, or estrogen in combination with progesterone. Chronic corticosterone administration increased WDS and facilitated female sexual behavior, while adrenalectomy decreased WDS and had mixed effects on female sexual behavior. These results suggest that the adrenal steroid corticosterone is important in the regulation of WDS and sexual behavior in both the male and female rat, and that this regulation may be mediated by activity at 5-HTǠ receptors.

Thesis/Dissertation

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2009-02-17

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http://hdl.handle.net/2429/4739

Psychology

University of British Columbia

UBCV

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