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Updated: Aug 15, 2026

Combining Behavioral Endocrinology and Experimental Economics: Testosterone and Social Decision Making
Published on: March 2, 2011
[The action of sex hormones on conditioned reflex and behavioral reactions]
Abstract:
The effects of lack of gonadal hormones on the learning ability, retention of memory traces and behavior under conditions of hormonal unbalance produced by extirpation of the endocrine glands in male and female rats were compared. The behavior of the animals was evaluated in active and passive avoidance, and in open field tests. There were differences between male and female rats in formation of active and passive avoidance reactions. Results of the experiments demonstrate that castration of the male rats resulted in impairment of long-term memory and modified behavior; castration of female rats considerably impaired formation and retention of active and passive avoidance reactions but had no effect on behavior of female rats.
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