Age alters dopaminergic responses to estradiol

Young (3-5 months) and middle-aged (17-19 months) ovariectomized rats were treated with estradiol benzoate for three days and striatal dopaminergic function was assessed behaviorally (circling in response to apomorphine) and neurochemically (binding of [3H]spiroperidol by striatal membranes). The results suggest that striatal dopaminergic function may respond differently to estrogen in older animals compared to younger animals.