Sociability and sexual motivation in male Wistar rats in response to different doses of extract of Isoberlinia doka using “partition” test method

This study investigated the effects of different doses of stem-bark extracts of Isoberlinia doka (I.D) on sociability and sexual motivation of male Wistar rats using partition test method with perforated and non-perforated transparent glass. The results of behavioural activities obtained in rats administered orally with 200 and 600mg/Kg body weight of the extract in response to a female partner a day after the first application showed an increased (P < 0.05) in sociability and sexual motivation compared to the control group (CG) and groups treated with 1000, 1400, 1800 and 2200mg of the extract. This was evidenced by a significant (P < 0.05) increased in the number of excursions and time spent by the male rats on chemoinvestigative behaviours when a female partner was introduced in the box that was partitioned with a perforated glass. The administration of 1400-2200mg of the extracts to the male rats during the study period induced perceptual block of pheromonal stimuli and increased in anxiety. The overall behavioural results was higher (P < 0.01) when the cage was partitioned with a perforated glass than nonperforated. In conclusion, the administration of a single dose of 200 and 600mg of extracts of I.D enhanced sociability and sexual motivation, while higher doses inhibited the sociability and chemoinvestigative behaviour of the male Wistar rats. The partition test method was able to differentiate visual and auditory perceptions from those of sexual motivation. Thus, partition test can be used in pharmacological experiments for study of neurochemical regulation.

Author(s): Minka N. Salka*, Adeiza A. Abubakar and Fatima B. Hassan

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