| Abstract: | This study examined the hypothesis that defensive responsiveness induced by threatening stimuli of biological origin is mediated by the action of endogenous corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF). Rats were exposed for 15 min to a large open field containing a small chamber. Twenty-four hours later, rats received intracerebroventricular injections of either vehicle or 20 μg of α-helical CRF(9–41), a CRF receptor antagonist. After 20 min, rats were reexposed to the open field, which now contained odors of urine and feces from a stressed conspecific. In the reexposure test, vehicle- and antagonist-treated rats withdrew rapidly into the chamber. Antagonist-treated rats, however, emerged subsequently from the chamber to explore the open field as indicated by a significant increase in the number of passages made between the chamber and the open field. Results suggest that central injection of α-helical CRF(9–41) reduces the level of fear induced by odors associated with threat. In addition, CRF receptors are implicated in mediating the species-typical display of defensive withdrawal behavior. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved) |
