Differential effects of GABA transaminase inhibitors on sexual behavior, locomotor activity, and motor execution in the male rat.

The GABA transaminase inhibitors gamma-acetylen GABA (GAG) and sodium valproate were administered intraperitoneally and their effects on locomotor activity, motor execution and sexual behavior were analyzed. It was found that sodium valproate, administered 15 min before observation, reduced locomotor activity only at a dose of 200 mg/kg. Doses of 100 and 400 mg/kg had no effect. Motor execution was impaired in a dose-dependent way, the lowest effective dose being 200 mg/kg. Sexual behavior was also dose-dependently reduced. Sodium valproate, administered 60 min before observation, inhibited all behaviors. The lowest effective dose was 200 mg/kg for locomotor activity and 400 mg/kg for motor execution and sexual behavior. GAG also inhibited all behavior, in doses ranging from 25 mg/kg (locomotor activity) to 100 mg/kg (motor execution and sexual behavior). The data showed that there is no relation between effects on locomotor activity and the effects on sexual behavior, whereas sexual behavior is inhibited whenever motor execution is impaired. Moreover, there is no correlation between effects on locomotor activity and motor execution. It is suggested that GABA transaminase inhibitors effect sexual behavior only indirectly, via an impairment of motor execution. Therefore it is doubtful whether GABAergic mechanisms play any role in the normal regulation of sexual behavior.