Increasing 3alpha,5alpha-THP following inhibition of neurosteroid biosynthesis in the ventral tegmental area reinstates anti-anxiety, social and sexual behavior of naturally-receptive rats.

@article{citeulike:3352587, abstract = {The progesterone metabolite and neurosteroid, 5alpha-pregnan-3alpha-ol-20-one (3alpha,5alpha-THP) has actions in the midbrain ventral tegmental area (VTA) to modulate lordosis, but its effects on other reproductively-relevant behaviors are not well understood. Effects on exploration, anxiety, and social behavior resulting from inhibition of 3alpha,5alpha-THP formation, as well as 3alpha,5alpha-THP enhancement, were investigated in the midbrain VTA. Naturally sexually-receptive, female rats (n=8-10/group) received infusions aimed at the midbrain VTA of vehicle, PK11195 (an inhibitor of neurosteroidogenesis) and/or indomethacin (an inhibitor of 3alpha,5alpha-THP formation from prohormones) and were subsequently infused with vehicle or FGIN 1-27 (a neurosteroidogenesis enhancer). Rats were then assessed in a behavioral battery that examined exploration (open field), anxiety (elevated plus maze), social (social interaction) and sexual (paced mating) behavior. Inhibition of 3alpha,5alpha-THP formation decreased exploratory, anti-anxiety, social and sexual behavior, as well as midbrain 3alpha,5alpha-THP levels. Infusions of FGIN 1-27 following 3alpha,5alpha-THP inhibition restored these behaviors and midbrain 3alpha,5alpha-THP levels to those commensurate of control rats that had not been administered inhibitors. These findings suggest that 3alpha,5alpha-THP formation in the midbrain VTA is may influence appetitive, as well as consummatory, aspects of mating behavior.}, address = {C Frye, Psychology, The University at Albany - SUNY, Albany, United States.}, author = {Frye, Cheryl and Paris, Jason and Rhodes, Madeline }, citeulike-article-id = {3352587}, doi = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1530/REP-08-0250}, issn = {1741-7899}, journal = {Reproduction (Cambridge, England)}, month = {September}, posted-at = {2008-09-29 13:26:59}, priority = {2}, title = {Increasing 3{alpha},5{alpha}-THP following inhibition of neurosteroid biosynthesis in the ventral tegmental area reinstates anti-anxiety, social and sexual behavior of naturally-receptive rats.}, url = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1530/REP-08-0250}, year = {2008} }

TY - JOUR ID - citeulike:3352587 L3 - citeulike-article-id:3352587 N2 - The progesterone metabolite and neurosteroid, 5alpha-pregnan-3alpha-ol-20-one (3alpha,5alpha-THP) has actions in the midbrain ventral tegmental area (VTA) to modulate lordosis, but its effects on other reproductively-relevant behaviors are not well understood. Effects on exploration, anxiety, and social behavior resulting from inhibition of 3alpha,5alpha-THP formation, as well as 3alpha,5alpha-THP enhancement, were investigated in the midbrain VTA. Naturally sexually-receptive, female rats (n=8-10/group) received infusions aimed at the midbrain VTA of vehicle, PK11195 (an inhibitor of neurosteroidogenesis) and/or indomethacin (an inhibitor of 3alpha,5alpha-THP formation from prohormones) and were subsequently infused with vehicle or FGIN 1-27 (a neurosteroidogenesis enhancer). Rats were then assessed in a behavioral battery that examined exploration (open field), anxiety (elevated plus maze), social (social interaction) and sexual (paced mating) behavior. Inhibition of 3alpha,5alpha-THP formation decreased exploratory, anti-anxiety, social and sexual behavior, as well as midbrain 3alpha,5alpha-THP levels. Infusions of FGIN 1-27 following 3alpha,5alpha-THP inhibition restored these behaviors and midbrain 3alpha,5alpha-THP levels to those commensurate of control rats that had not been administered inhibitors. These findings suggest that 3alpha,5alpha-THP formation in the midbrain VTA is may influence appetitive, as well as consummatory, aspects of mating behavior. JF - Reproduction (Cambridge, England) SN - 1741-7899 AD - C Frye, Psychology, The University at Albany - SUNY, Albany, United States. TI - Increasing 3{alpha},5{alpha}-THP following inhibition of neurosteroid biosynthesis in the ventral tegmental area reinstates anti-anxiety, social and sexual behavior of naturally-receptive rats. AU - Frye, Cheryl AU - Paris, Jason AU - Rhodes, Madeline PY - 2008/09/25/ UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1530/REP-08-0250 ER -