Influence of monoamine oxidase inhibitor on the induction of persistent estrus by androgen in the rat.

Effect of monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) on the induction of persistent estrus by testosterone propionate (TP) was studied in Wistar strain female rats. Daily treatment with MAOI for the 1st 10 days of life accelerated the occurrence of persistent estrus in rats given TP at 8 days of age. The onset of persistent estrus occurred at 57.3+/2.0 days of age in these animals compared to 92.6+/5.5 days in saline-treated controls. The contribution of hypothalamic monoamines to the induction of persistent estrus by TP treatment in neonatal rats will be discussed.