Sex Differences in Brain and Plasma β-Endorphin Content following Testosterone, Dihydrotestosterone and Estradiol Administration to Gonadectomized Rats

Abstract

The sensitivity of the endogenous opiatergic system to T administration seems to be sex-related. This effect is particularly evident in the brains of female animals where this endogenous endorphin elicits a much greater response than it does in males that have undergone gonadal steroid depletion and subsequent T replacement.