RESTORATION OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOR AND DOPAMINERGIC NEUROTRANSMISSION BY LONG TERM EXOGENOUS TESTOSTERONE REPLACEMENT IN AGED MALE RATS

Abstract

Aged rats (24 months old) with long-term testosterone replacement maintained almost the same level of mount behavior as young rats (12 weeks old). The results imply that long-term testosterone replacement may favorably alter the decline in the process of sexual activity with aging. The restoration by testosterone replacement of dopaminergic activity in the MPOA may be involved in the maintenance of sexual function in aged rats.