Effects of baclofen on anxiety, sexual motivation, and olfactory perception in male mice in different psychoemotional states.

The psychotropic effects of the GABA(B) receptor agonist baclofen (1, 2.5, and 5 mg/kg, i.p.) on anxiety, sexual motivation, and olfactory perception were studied in male mice in different psychoemotional states. Baclofen decreased the rate of perception (analysis) of olfactory stimuli. The effects of baclofen on behavior depended on the psychoemotional state of the animals. In intact males, baclofen administration had an anxiolytic effect in the elevated plus-maze (EPM) and social contacts tests and increased responses to males. In aggressive males, baclofen administration had anxiolytic effects in the EPM and restored levels of sexual motivation to the control level. In submissive males, baclofen administration had weak influences on anxiety levels in both tests, but prevented waning of sexual interest. The presence and absence of parallels in the development of anxiety and sexual reactions in animals in different social states are discussed.