Role of sex hormones in sex-dependent differences in phencyclidine-induced stereotyped behaviors in rats.

This study was designed to assess the contribution of male and female sex hormones to sex-dependent differences in phencyclidine (PCP)-induced stereotyped behaviors. Female rats appeared to be more sensitive to PCP than were male rats as evidenced by stereotyped behaviors. Chronic testosterone treatment and ovariectomy decreased the susceptibility to PCP but increased the efficiency of hepatic drug metabolizing systems in female rats. On the contrary, an increased sensitivity to PCP and a decreased efficiency of hepatic drug metabolizing systems in male rats resulted from chronic treatment with estradiol and castration. It appears from these results that the male and female sex hormones are responsible for sex-dependent differences in PCP-induced stereotyped behaviors by means of changes in the metabolism of PCP.