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Science 1 June 1984:
Vol. 224. no. 4652, pp. 1011 - 1013
DOI: 10.1126/science.6719125
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Articles

Science, Vol 224, Issue 4652, 1011-1013
Copyright © 1984 by American Association for the Advancement of Science

articles

Perinatal dopamine-related drugs demasculinize rats

EM Hull, JK Nishita, D Bitran, and S Dalterio

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.


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