The positive reinforcing effects of cocaine and opposite-sex social contact: roles of biological sex and estrus.

ABSTRACT:

Rationale

Preclinical studies report that drug use and social contact mutually influence the reinforcing effects of one another. Most of these studies have used same-sex dyads exclusively, and the role of factors related to biological sex and hormonal fluctuations are not well understood.

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to examine the reinforcing effects of cocaine and social contact with an opposite-sex partner in male and female rats, and how these effects are modulated by ovarian hormones.

Methods

Male and female rats were trained in a nonexclusive choice procedure in which cocaine and social contact with an opposite-sex partner were simultaneously available on concurrent progressive ratio schedules of reinforcement. To examine the effects of ovarian hormo

SUBMITTER: Smith MA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11742770 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature