THE ANTIDEPRESSANT, NEFAZODONE, ATTENUATES CORTICOSTERONE-INDUCED INCREASES IN 5-HT2A RECEPTOR-MEDIATED BEHAVIORS IN THE FEMALE RAT

The effects of chronic corticosterone administration on sexual behavio r and on wet-dog shakes, a 5-HT2A mediated behavior, were investigated in the female rat. In addition, effects of the antidepressant nefazod one, a selective 5-HT2A receptor antagonist, both alone and in combina tion with corticosterone were examined. Testing was conducted in ovari ectomized animals primed with estrogen and progesterone. Corticosteron e was found to significantly increase sexual receptivity, sexual proce ptivity and wet dog shakes. While nefazodone alone had no significant effects, it completely attenuated the corticosterone-induced increases in both sexual behavior and wet dog shakes. This suggests that cortic osterone influences sexual behavior and wet dog shakes via a 5-HT2A re ceptor mechanism. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.