A comparison of the effects of neonatally administered testosterone, testosterone propionate and dihydrotestosterone on aggressive and sexual behaviour in the female golden hamster
Payne, A.P.
Journal of Endocrinology 69(1): 23-31
1976
ISSN/ISBN: 0022-0795 PMID: 944751 DOI: 10.1677/joe.0.0690023Document Number: 428336
Female golden hamsters received one of the following treatments on the day following birth: 300 .mu.g testosterone propionate in arachis oil, 300 .mu.g testosterone in oil, 300 .mu.g dihydrotestosterone in oil, or oil alone. As adults all animals underwent 3 tests for behavior. First, while intact, females were observed in aggressive interactions with males. Secondly, after ovariectomy, females were primed with estrogen + progesterone and tested for receptivity with a stud male. Thirdly, all ovariectomized females were primed with testosterone propionate and tested for male patterns of behavior with a receptive female. Compared with the effects of oil administration (control), testosterone propionate administration resulted in increased aggressiveness and the capacity to show male patterns of sexual behavior, together with a decreased capacity to show female patterns of sexual behavior. Testosterone increased aggression and male sexual behavior, but had no effects on receptivity, while dihydrotestosterone decreased some components of receptivity but had no effects on aggressiveness or the capacity to show male mating behavior.