Factors determining the kinetics of a single dose of testosterone in rats

The results from different authors regarding testosterone and cognitive research show controversial results. One of the reasons may be the form of testosterone used in the experiment. The aim of our study was to evaluate the testosterone levels in plasma and its kinetics after the single application of either a long-acting or a short-acting form of this hormone. Twenty female and twenty male adult Wistar rats were divided into two groups that were either gonadectomized or not. The two groups were divided into 4 subgroups depending on whether the animals received testosterone propionate or testosterone isobutyrate intramuscularly. Samples for analysis were collected before and at 2, 4, 24, 48, 72, 96 and 168 h after injection. The results showed significant differences in the dynamics between rapid and depot forms of testosterone, together with the rebound effect and hormonal negative feedback. These aspects of testosterone kinetics need to be considered when planning experiments on the physiology of testosterone