Intracranial self-stimulation in female and male rats: no sex differences using a rate-independent procedure.

Abstract

Given gender differences in human drug use and dependence, this study examined sex differences in reinforcement processes that may underlie such behavior. A psychophysical determination of reinforcement threshold was made using an intracranial self-stimulation (ICSS) paradigm, electrically activating the medial forebrain bundle (MFB) as it passes through the lateral hypothalamus (LH). Using this response rate-independent procedure, basal reinforcement thresholds were not significantly different in male vs. female rats (119.4 +/- 3.3 microA vs. 110.8 +/- 4.0 microA, respectively; N = 8/sex). Further, baseline reinforcement threshold did not fluctuate systematically across stages of the estrous cycle in female rats. The psychostimulants D-amphetamine (0.056-0.56 mg/kg s.c.) and cocaine (1.8-18.0 mg/kg i.p.) dose-dependently lowered reinforcement threshold, with no significant sex difference. The opioid morphine (0.56-5.6 mg/kg s.c.) did not significantly lower reinforcement threshold in either sex. These results contrast those of some previous studies that have used response rate-dependent measures of reinforcement threshold; procedures which are less rate-dependent may be more appropriate when examining subject variables such as sex and stage of estrous.