Jpn. J. Pharmacol. 73 (1), 93-96 (1997)

Influences of Ovariectomy and Continuous Replacement of 17beta-Estradiol on the Tail Skin Temperature and Behavior in the Forced Swimming Test in Rats

Mikiko Okada (#), Naoyuki Hayashi, Motohiko Kometani, Kenzo Nakao and Toshiya Inukai

Drug Discovery Research Unit, Research & Development Subdivision, Pharmaceutical Division, Ciba-Geigy Japan Limited, 10-66 Miyuki-cho, Takarazuka, Hyogo 665, Japan
(#) Present address: Bio-Organic Research Department, International Research Laboratory, Ciba-Geigy Japan Limited, 10-66 Miyuki-cho, Takarazuka, Hyogo 665, Japan

Abstract: The effect of ovariectomy and continuous subcutaneous replacement of 17beta-estradiol was examined in female Wistar rats. Tail skin temperature significantly increased in ovariectomized rats 6 days after ovariectomy, and the elevated level was sustained until 21 days after ovariectomy. 17beta-Estradiol at doses of 0.3 and 1.0 microg/body/day suppressed the increases in tail skin temperature. In the forced swimming test, the ovariectomized control rats showed significantly prolonged immobility time in comparison with sham-ovariectomized rats 14 days after ovariectomy. The duration of immobility of ovariectomized rats treated with 17beta-estradiol (0.3, 1.0, 3.0 microg/body/day) or maprotiline (0.6 mg/body/day) was significantly shorter than that of ovariectomized control rats.

Keywords: Ovariectomy, Tail skin temperature, Forced swimming test