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Effect of anabolic steroids on behavior and physiological characteristics of female mice
F H Bronson1, K Q Nguyen, J De La Rosa
1Department of Zoology, University of Texas, Austin 78712, USA.
Abstract:
Adult female mice were exposed to a combination of four anabolic-androgenic steroids for 9 weeks at doses that were either one or five times the androgenic maintenance level for male mice. Relative to control females, steroid treatment depressed gonadotropin secretion and increased both dry body weight and fat content but without an increase in food intake. Steroid treatment depressed spontaneous use of a running wheel and open-field activity, and it increased aggressiveness. It also eliminated a behavior related to encounters between the sexes--the rejection of genital inspection. There was no effect of steroid treatment on the time required to recover from 10 h of enforced running on a treadmill. Overall, regardless of the test or measure, there was little or no difference in the effect of the high and low dose of steroids. This indicates a threshold of response below the low dose used in these studies, which itself is probably well below that used by many female athletes and body builders.
Insights
Female mice exposed to anabolic-androgenic steroids showed increased body weight and fat, alongside behavioral changes like increased aggression. Doses showed minimal differences, suggesting a response threshold below typical athletic use.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Neuroscience
- Animal Behavior
Background:
- Anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS) use is prevalent among athletes.
- Understanding AAS effects on females is crucial due to potential health and behavioral impacts.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the physiological and behavioral effects of AAS administration in adult female mice.
- To determine dose-dependent responses to AAS in females.
Main Methods:
- Adult female mice received a combination of four AAS for 9 weeks.
- Doses were set at 1x and 5x the male androgenic maintenance level.
- Physiological (body weight, fat content, gonadotropins) and behavioral (activity, aggression, sexual behavior) measures were assessed.
Main Results:
- AAS treatment increased dry body weight and fat content without altering food intake.
- Gonadotropin secretion was suppressed.
- Spontaneous activity and open-field exploration decreased, while aggressiveness and sexual rejection behaviors increased.
- No significant differences were observed between high and low AAS doses.
Conclusions:
- AAS significantly alter female mouse physiology and behavior, even at doses potentially lower than those used by some athletes.
- A response threshold exists, with minimal dose-dependent effects observed in this study.