Perinatal dopamine-related drugs demasculinize rats

Science. 1984 Jun 1;224(4652):1011-3. doi: 10.1126/science.6719125.

Abstract

Administration of haloperidol, a common neuroleptic, to pregnant or lactating rats impaired the masculine sex behavior of their male offspring. Prenatal haloperidol did not affect testosterone concentrations in fetuses. Maternal administration of apomorphine, a dopamine agonist, and of alpha-methyl-p-tyrosine, an inhibitor of dopamine synthesis, also demasculinized male offspring. In both experiments other behaviors and developmental milestones were unaffected. Perinatal haloperidol, apomorphine, and alpha-methyl-p-tyrosine did not lower testosterone in adulthood. These drugs may act directly on neurons that control masculine behavior without lowering testosterone prenatally or in adulthood.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Newborn
  • Apomorphine / pharmacology
  • Dopamine / physiology*
  • Ejaculation / drug effects
  • Female
  • Haloperidol / pharmacology*
  • Male
  • Methyltyrosines / pharmacology
  • Pregnancy
  • Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects
  • Rats
  • Receptors, Dopamine / drug effects
  • Sexual Behavior, Animal / drug effects*
  • Sexual Behavior, Animal / physiology
  • Testosterone / blood

Substances

  • Methyltyrosines
  • Receptors, Dopamine
  • Testosterone
  • alpha-methyltyrosine methyl ester
  • Haloperidol
  • Apomorphine
  • Dopamine