Indicators of locomotor activity and nociceptive sensitivity of male and female rats upon acute administration of NO-synthase inhibitor

The aim of the work was to study of indicators of locomotor activity and pain sensitivity of male and female rats under conditions with inhibition of nitric oxide synthase (NO synthase). It was found that both the level of locomotor activity and the nociceptive sensitivity of male rats in control group did not differ from that in females of this group. Administration of NO synthase inhibitor led to a marked increase in the latent period of paw licking of rats, both in the group of males and in the group of females. Preliminary administration of a non-selective inhibitor of NO synthase caused a significant decrease in locomotor activity only in male rats. Thus, obtained data indicate necessity for behavioral and neurochemical studies in animals of both sexes.