Reduced extracellular levels of serotonin in the amygdala of androgenized female rats

Abstract

The object of this study was to evaluate the effect of androgenization on the extracellular concentrations of serotonin in the amygdala of otherwise intact female rats. One group of animals received one high dose of testosterone (1 mg, s.c.) within three hours after birth, one group received continuous administration of testosterone by means of silicone tubings (50 mm) for approximately 20 days starting at day 40, and one group received testosterone both in the neonatal period and from day 40 and onwards. Assessment of extracellular levels of serotonin in the amygdala was undertaken around day 60 using in vivo microdialysis with HPLC detection; the animals were awake and unrestrained during the microdialysis procedure. Dialysate serotonin concentrations did not differ between the three groups of androgenized animals; however, in all three groups, dialysate levels of serotonin were significantly lower than in controls receiving sesame oil neonatally and empty tubings at day 40. It is suggested that the effects of testosterone on sex-dependent behaviours such as aggression and sexual activity may be at least partly due to a reduction in brain serotonin function.