[The effect of dehydroepiandrosterone-sulphate on stress behavior in high- and low-anxiety rats]

We studied the effect of preliminary three-fold administration of dehydroepiandrosterone-sulphate (DHEA-S) on behavioral disturbance, induced by water-immobilization stress in high- and low-anxiety active rats. Active rats were selected from Wistar rats on the basis of T-maze testing. Active rats were then divided into the groups with high and low anxiety level after testing in elevated plus maze. We found that DHEA-S injections (3 mg/100 g, i.p.) had an anti-stress-like effect, as shown by a decrease stress corticosterone level in both groups of rats. DHEA-S also demonstrated an anxiolytic-like effects in high anxiety rats and anxiogenic-like effects in low anxiety rats. These results suggest that DHEA-S anxiolytic and anti-stress effects depend on the individual psycho-emotional status and baseline anxiety level.