A SINGLE PRETREATMENT WITH 8-OH-DPAT REDUCES BEHAVIORAL INDEXES OF SEROTONIN 1A RECEPTOR ACTIVATION IN OVARIECTOMIZED RATS

The effects of prior treatment with 8-OH-DPAT on 8-OH-DPAT-induced eat ing behavior, hypothermia, flat body posture and forepaw treading were examined in ovariectomized rats. Twenty-four hours after a single pre treatment with 0.25 mg/kg of the drug, the eating behavior and flat bo dy posture induced by 8-OH-DPAT were reduced relative to that seen fol lowing the first treatment with the drug. In contrast, within 24 hr of the prior drug treatment, the drug's effects on forepaw treading and rectal temperature were unchanged. However, 7 days after prior treatme nt with 8-OH-DPAT, eating behavior, flat body posture and hypothermia induced by the drug were suppressed. Only forepaw treading remained un changed. These findings are discussed in reference to similar studies of 5-HT1A receptor agonist-induced modulation of behaviors in male rat s. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.