Changes in testosterone levels in the rat following intraperitoneal cocaine HCl

Independent groups of mature rats were administered IP injections of either 15 mg cocaine HCl or normal saline. Animals were lightly anesthetized after 45', 90', 120', or 180' and blood plasma assayed for testosterone by RIA. Experimental subjects showed increasing levels until the longest delay value when a substanial drop was noted. The importance of this finding is noted, both with regard to the issue of drug abuse as well as a potential confounding element in the analysis of chemical kindling experiments.