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Chronic intermittent immobilization of male rats throughout sexual development: a stress protocol
Author(s) -
Almeida SA,
Anselmo-Franci JA,
Rosa Silva e AA,
Carvalho TL
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
experimental physiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.925
H-Index - 101
eISSN - 1469-445X
pISSN - 0958-0670
DOI - 10.1113/expphysiol.1998.sp004151
Subject(s) - chronic stress , medicine , endocrinology , biology , physiology
A stress protocol‐‐6 h of daily immobilization‐‐was applied throughout male rat sexual development. Immobilization caused a small reduction in food intake and body weight gain whereas pair‐fed animals had a marginal decrease only in body weight gain. Stress, confirmed by increased plasma adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) and corticosterone, caused a decrease in plasma luteinizing hormone (LH) after 15 and 60 days of immobilization and in plasma testosterone after 60 days, but produced an opposite androgenic response in pubertal animals (15 days of immobilization). A persumed sympathetic over‐stimulation is suggested to account for increased testosterone levels in pubertal stressed rats.