Effects of Testosterone Hormone on Cognitive Functions and Anxiety-Like Behaviors in the Animal Model of Empathy

Authors

  • Ali Talebi - School of Medicine, Shahroud University of Medical Sciences, Shahroud, Iran.- Sexual Health and Fertility Research Center, Shahroud University of Medical Sciences, Shahroud, Iran. orcid https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2067-6326
  • Fatemeh Rahimi Shourmasti - Dept. of Neuroscience, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran. orcid https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4434-8159
  • saba niknamfar - Dept. of Neuroscience, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran. orcid https://orcid.org/0009-0007-8364-4889
  • Mehdi Khodamoradi - Substance Abuse Prevention Research Center, Health Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran. orcid https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2417-692X
  • Seyedeh Masoumeh Seyedhosseini - Dept. of Neuroscience, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran. orcid https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7228-4071
  • Raheleh Rafaiee - Dept. of Neuroscience, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran. orcid https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2796-5868
  • Hossein Shabani - Dept. of Occupational Medicine, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. orcid https://orcid.org/0009-0003-2085-1371
  • Nasser Mogharabian - School of Medicine, Shahroud University of Medical Sciences, Shahroud, Iran. - Sexual Health and Fertility Research Center, Shahroud University of Medical Sciences, Shahroud, Iran. orcid https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8795-973X
  • Hamed Ghazvini - Dept. of Neuroscience, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.- Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Addiction Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran. orcid https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7644-4834

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22100/jkh.v18i4.3169

Keywords:

Empathy, Testosterone, Social memory

Abstract

Introduction: Empathy is one of the special cognitive functions that play an important role in the evolution of social behaviors and the formation of social memory. Testosterone have neuroprotective effects against cognitive and behavioral disorders and may be very important in the development of social and cognitive behaviors. Therefore, this study investigated the role of testosterone hormone in social behaviors, novel object recognition memory, and anxiety-like behaviors in a rat model of empathic pain.

Methods: In this study, 32 gonadectomized male rats were divided into four groups: control, pain, observer + vehicle (castor oil), and observer + testosterone. The emotional pain experienced by a family member who received five formalin injections was socially transferred to the observing rat within the same family through observation. The observation groups received vehicle or testosterone before observing the suffering of mice. Then, social memory, novel object recognition memory, and anxiety-like behaviors were tested.

Results: The results indicated that in the pain group, both social memory and novel object recognition memory were impaired compared to the control group, and anxiety-like behaviors were increased. Conversely, testosterone injection partially improved social memory and novel object recognition memory deficits, and reduced anxiety-like behaviors compared with the observer+vehicle group.

Conclusion: In conclusion, empathy causes anxious behavior and social and novel object recognition memory impairments. Furthermore, testosterone hormones can play a protective role against cognitive and behavioral damages caused by empathy in rats.

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Published

2024-03-03

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Vol 18, No 4:2024

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Original Article(s)

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How to Cite

Effects of Testosterone Hormone on Cognitive Functions and Anxiety-Like Behaviors in the Animal Model of Empathy. (2024). Knowledge and Health in Basic Medical Sciences, 18(4), Page: 12-20. https://doi.org/10.22100/jkh.v18i4.3169