NEURAL AND BEHAVIORAL ACTIONS OF ANABOLIC STEROIDS

描述(改编自申请人的摘要)： 这个项目的长期目标是阐明神经和 合成-雄激素的行为作用(S)(AAS)。尽管 大多数已发表的研究都聚焦于男性，研究表明，女性 青春期的女孩服用AAS来提高运动成绩，并实现 肌肉发达的体格。我们已经证明了单个AAS具有离散的和 对成年大鼠发情周期和性接受能力的可量化影响。 本建议的目标是将我们对原子吸收的影响的分析扩展到 包括性行为动机并描绘出生理上的 AAS影响雌性大鼠神经系统的机制。首先，我们 将扩大我们对AAS对女性性行为影响的分析 生理学和解决以下问题：(A)青春期前AAS 给药改变青春期的开始，并产生短期或长期的 发情周期或受精率的变化，(B)是否在联合法案中给出 协同或对抗地改变发情周期或性行为 行为，以及(C)AAS是否改变了构成动机的性行为 可能与人类的性欲相似？第二，我们将检验三个方面的作用 大脑区域(下丘脑腹内侧区、视前区和外侧隔)丰富 在雄激素和雌激素受体中，通过抑制性行为 美国医学会。具体地说，(A)确实将原子吸收光谱直接应用于这些脑区 对模仿系统性给药的行为产生影响，以及(B)确实如此 AAS调节这些中枢部位的性行为的能力取决于 通过类固醇(雄激素或雌激素)受体传递信号？第三，我们将 测试AAS可能通过以下方式改变性行为 γ-氨基丁酸A型受体(GABAA)，因为传递介导 众所周知，GABA能系统可以调节性行为。明确地说，确实 AAS的中央管理通过对 AAS对女性性行为调控的神经内分泌过程 行为。原子吸收光谱对中枢神经和内分泌的影响 实验动物的系统将提供有价值的科学证据 不仅会提高我们对生理和行为的理解 女性对大剂量AAS滥用的反应，也对其他天然药物的反应 伴随雄激素过多而发生的疾病，如多囊症 卵巢综合征。

DESCRIPTION (Adapted From The Applicant's Abstract): The long-term objective of this project is to elucidate the neural and behavioral actions of anabolic-androgenic steroid(s) (AAS). Although the majority of published research focuses on males, it has been shown that women and adolescent girls take AAS to improve athletic performance and to achieve a muscular physique. We have demonstrated that individual AAS have discrete and quantifiable effects on the estrous cycle and sexual receptivity in adult rats. The goal of the present proposal is to extend our analysis of AAS effects to include motivation for sexual behavior and to delineate the physiological mechanisms by which AAS affect the nervous system in female rats. First, we will broaden our analysis of AAS effects on female sexual behavior and physiology and address the following questions: (a) does prepubertal AAS administration alter the onset of puberty and produce short- or long-term changes in estrous cyclicity or fertility, (b) do AAS given in combination act synergistically or antagonistically to alter the estrous cycle or sexual behavior, and (c) do AAS alter sexual behaviors that underlie motivation that may be comparable to libido in humans? Second, we will test the role of three brain areas (ventromedial hypothalamus, preoptic area, and lateral septum) rich in androgen and estrogen receptors, in the inhibition of sexual behavior by AAS. Specifically, (a) does direct application of AAS to these brain regions produce effects on behavior that mimic systemic administration, and (b) does the ability of AAS to modulate sexual behaviors at these central sites depend on signaling through steroid (androgen or estrogen) receptors? Third, we will test the possibility that AAS may alter sexual behaviors by acting at gamma-aminobutyric acid type A (GABAa) receptors, because transmission mediated by the GABAergic system is known to modulate sexual behavior. Expressly, does the central administration of AAS modulate sexual behaviors via effects on neuroendocrine processes underlying the AAS modulation of female sexual behavior. Characterizing AAS effects on the central nervous and endocrine systems in laboratory animals will provide valuable scientific evidence that will improve our understanding not only of the physiological and behavioral responses to high dose AAS abuse in women, but also to other naturally occurring disorders that are accompanied by androgen excess, such as polycystic ovarian syndrome.