Mechanisms regulating male sexual behavior in the rat: role of 3 alpha- and 3 beta-androstanediols.

To assess whether naturally occurring 5 alpha-androstanediols (5 alpha-androstane-3 alpha, 17 beta-diol and 5 alpha-androstane-3 beta, 17 beta-diol) play a role in the regulation of male sexual behavior in the rat, their capability to restore copulatory behavior in castrated animals was evaluated. Androstanediols were chronically administered either alone or in combination with 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) or with estradiol-17 beta (E2). Animals treated with testosterone (T), DHT, E2, and vehicle, either alone or in different combinations, served as controls. The occurrence of mounting, intromission, and ejaculation as well as detailed parameters of copulatory behavior were recorded twice per week for 3 weeks. At the end of treatments, the weights of sex accessory organs were also recorded. When 3 beta, 5 alpha-androstanediol (3 beta-diol; 500 micrograms/day) was administered in combination with DHT (300 micrograms/day), full copulatory behavior was restored in all subjects in a manner similar to that obtained with E2 plus DHT or T plus DHT combinations, thus indicating an estrogen-like behavioral effect of 3 beta-diol. Administration of 3 alpha, 5 alpha-androstanediol (3 alpha-diol; 500 micrograms/day) combined with DHT also restored sexual behavior, though to a lesser extent. When 3 alpha-diol (500 micrograms/day) was simultaneously administered with E2 (5 micrograms/day), the copulatory behavior of castrated animals was fully restored in a fashion similar to that observed after administration of DHT plus E2 and T plus E2 combinations, indicating a potent androgen-like effect of 3 alpha-diol.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)