GABAergic drugs and sexual behaviour in the rabbit: evidence for species-specific effects

The effects of γ-amino butyric acid (GABA)-ergic drugs on male rabbit sexual behaviour have been evaluated. The GABAA agonist 4,5,6,7-tetrahydroxixazolo-5,4c-pyridin-3-ol (THIP), the GABAB agonist R-baclofen and the GABA antagonists picrotoxin and bicuculline were used. Injection of THIP, 20 mg/kg,...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford) 1998, Vol.12 (2), p.186-191
Main Authors: Paredes, Raúl G., Contreras, José Luis, Ågmo, Anders
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Baclofen - pharmacology
Bicuculline - pharmacology
Biological and medical sciences
Copulation - drug effects
Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
Escape Reaction - drug effects
GABA Agents - pharmacology
Gabaergic and benzodiazepinic system
Isoxazoles - pharmacology
Male
Medical sciences
Neuropharmacology
Neurotransmitters. Neurotransmission. Receptors
Pharmacology. Drug treatments
Picrotoxin - pharmacology
Rabbits
Rats
Sexual Behavior, Animal - drug effects
Species Specificity
Structure-Activity Relationship
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Summary:The effects of γ-amino butyric acid (GABA)-ergic drugs on male rabbit sexual behaviour have been evaluated. The GABAA agonist 4,5,6,7-tetrahydroxixazolo-5,4c-pyridin-3-ol (THIP), the GABAB agonist R-baclofen and the GABA antagonists picrotoxin and bicuculline were used. Injection of THIP, 20 mg/kg, s.c. produced a complete suppression of sexual behaviour and R-baclofen, 2.5 mg/kg, s.c. a significant inhibition. Intraperitoneal injections produced effects at higher doses than did s.c. injections. The inhibition produced by R-baclofen was associated with strong motor effects as shown by the water escape test. It is probable, therefore, that the reduced sexual behaviour observed after treatment with this drug is a consequence of sedative or muscle relaxant effects. By contrast, the dose of THIP that inhibited sexual behaviour had no effect on the water escape test. These results show that the GABA A agonist inhibits sexual behaviour in the male rabbit independent of effects on the motor system. The GABA antagonists had marginal or no effects on sexual behaviour. When these data are compared to previous results in the rat, substantial differences are seen. As there are differences between the effects on rat and rabbit sexual behaviour by other types of drugs, it appears that drug action on sexual behaviour cannot be generalized from one species to another.
ISSN:0269-8811
1461-7285
DOI:10.1177/026988119801200211