Region-specific effect of testosterone on oxytocin receptor binding in the brain of the aged rat.

We reported previously a significant reduction of oxytocin (OT) receptor binding in the brain of 20-month old rats relative to 3-month old ones. The present study shows that testosterone treatment of aging rats restores normal adult levels of OT receptor binding in the olfactory tubercle and in the hypothalamic ventromedial nucleus, but not in the caudate-putamen. These data indicate that the reduced plasma testosterone found in 20-month old rats is responsible for the loss of OT receptors in the olfactory tubercle and hypothalamic ventromedial nucleus, whereas other aging-related mechanisms may account for the decrease of OT receptor binding in the caudate-putamen.