XXXX -induced @entity146 is affected by the postcastration interval.

@entity35 @entity251 @entity146
A well entrenched hypothesis regarding hormonal action is that as the time interval following hormonal deprivation increases there is a corresponding decrease in the sensitivity of the system to the effects of hormone replacement. With this in mind, we examined the effects of a prolonged period of hormonal deprivation (9 mo), and compared these to the effects of a shorter period (1 month), on the restoration of @entity146 and seminal vesicle weights. Castration of sexually vigorous male Long-Evans @entity35 at 6 mo of age was followed by the virtual disappearance of ejaculatory behavior within 1 mo. @entity251 (T) was administered (5 mm or 20 mm T-containing Silastic capsules) either 1 or 9 mo after castration, and copulatory tests were conducted 3, 7, 10, 14, and 17 days later. 5 mmT and 20 mmT were equally effective in restoring behavior in the @entity35 treated 1 mo after castration. In contrast, 5 mmT was more effective in inducing @entity146 than 20 mmT in the @entity35 treated 9 mo after castration. The time course to maximal effect was longer in the @entity35 given T 9 mo after castration. @entity35 were sacrificed 21 days after T administration. Expressed seminal vesicle weights and plasma @entity251 were increased in a dose-dependent manner independent of the postcastration interval. These data indicate that somatic and behavioral effects of T are differentially modified by the period of preceding hormonal deprivation.
