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Dopamine-stimulated sexual behavior is testosterone dependent in mice
M S Szczypka1, Q Y Zhou, R D Palmiter
1Department of Biochemistry, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Washington, Seattle 98195-7370, USA.
Behavioral Neuroscience
|November 26, 1998
Summary
Dopamine-deficient mice require L-DOPA for survival and exhibit heightened aggression and mounting behaviors. These testosterone-dependent behaviors are more sensitive to testosterone in dopamine-deficient mice.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Behavioral Endocrinology
- Genetics
Background:
- Gene-targeting created dopamine-deficient (DA-/-) mice unable to synthesize dopamine.
- DA-/- mice require 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA) for survival past three weeks.
- L-DOPA treatment induced mounting and aggressive behaviors in adult male DA-/- mice.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of dopamine in regulating social behaviors.
- To determine the influence of testosterone on L-DOPA-induced behaviors in DA-/- mice.
- To compare testosterone sensitivity in DA-/- and wild-type mice.
Main Methods:
- Generation of dopamine-deficient mice using gene-targeting.
- Administration of L-DOPA, apomorphine (DA agonist), SKF81297 (D1 agonist), and quinpirole (D2 agonist).
- Castration of male DA-/- mice followed by testosterone replacement therapy.
Main Results:
- L-DOPA, D1, and nonspecific DA agonists stimulated aggression and mounting in DA-/- males.
- D2 agonist (quinpirole) was less effective in stimulating these behaviors.
- L-DOPA-stimulated behaviors were testosterone-dependent and more sensitive in DA-/- mice compared to wild-type.
Conclusions:
- Dopamine signaling is crucial for modulating social behaviors, including aggression and mounting.
- Testosterone significantly influences these behaviors, with heightened sensitivity observed in dopamine-deficient states.
- Findings suggest complex interactions between dopamine and androgen pathways in behavioral regulation.