The effect of neuroleptic drugs on serum testosterone level in the male rat

Abstract

1. 1. The effects of systemically administered haloperidol (haldol) and N-ethoxycarbonyl-2-ethoxy-1,2, dihydroquinoline (EEDQ) on serum testosterone level were studied in Sprague-Dawley adult male rats. 2. 2. Animals were injected intraperitoneally with either 0.1, 5 and 10 mg/kg of haldol or 0.5 and 5 mg/kg of EEDQ. Animals were sacrificed at 15, 60 min, 12, 24 or 48 hr after drug treatment and blood was collected for subsequent testosterone analysis. 3. 3. Results obtained indicate that 10 mg/kg of haldol significantly ( P <0.01) suppressed serum testosterone levels both at 1 and 24 hr post drug treatment. 4. 4. EEDQ treatment significantly ( P <0.01) suppressed serum testosterone levels only when administered at the higher dose of 5 mg/kg. This effect was observed as long as 12 hr after drug treatment. 5. 5. These results suggest that high doses of haldol and EEDQ can suppress serum testosterone levels in the male rat. 6. 6. The sexual dysfunction associated with neuroleptic drugs may be partially due to the effects of the drugs on serum testosterone levels.