Depot testosterone attenuates the anticonvulsant effect of flurazepam in mice

We examined whether pretreatment with depot testosterone produces a functional alteration in benzodiazepine receptor sensitivity. This was accomplished by testing the ability of flurazepam to increase the threshold voltage for seizure production in groups of mice given vehicle or testosterone cypionate (1 or 5 mg/kg) 21 days prior to testing in an electroconvulsive shock paradigm. Depot testosterone treatment reduced flurazepam's antiseizure potency in this paradigm. That testosterone altered the ability of flurazepam to protect mice from seizures is consistent with previous reports suggesting a complex interaction between steroids and the BDZ/GABAA system.