Anxiolytic effect of testosterone in an animal model of frustration

JUSTEL, N., RUETTI, E. & MUSTACA, A.

Huerta Grande, Córdoba

Taller; II Reunión Conjunta de Neurociencias; 2010

Sociedad Argentina de Neurociencias

Sexual response has anxiolytic effects on behavior. The evidence shows that one of the possible mechanisms involved in this phenomenon is the increase in the release of testosterone (T) produced by the sexual situation, because the finding shows that systemic and intracerebral administration of this hormone causes anxiolytic effects. Frustration situations that involve reductions or omissions of appetitive reinforcers cause anxiety reactions and are sensible to the administration of anxiolytics and whether the animals were able to ejaculate or be with a receptive female before the downshift of a reward in a consummatory successive negative contrast procedure (cSNC). The aim of the present study was evaluated the T’s effect in the reduction or omission of an expected appetitive reinforcer. With this objective we realized a chronic administration of 25mg/kg T in a cSNC and consummatory extinction (cE) procedures. The findings suggest that the subjects with T’s administration show a minor frustration effect and a faster recovery than control animals in the cSNC and a faster extinction in the cE. The results are discussed in relationship with the emotional testosterone’s effects and the functional equivalence between aversive stimulus and omission of an appetitive stimulus.