3α-androstanediol, but not testosterone, attenuates age-related decrements in cognitive, anxiety, and depressive behavior of male rats

The study investigated the effects of androgens on age-related cognitive and affective decline in male rats, focusing on testosterone (T) and its metabolite 3α-androstanediol (3α-diol). Researchers examined young, middle-aged, and aged rats, assessing their performance in tasks like inhibitory avoidance and the Morris water maze. They found that age-related declines in these tasks were associated with decreased hippocampal 3α-diol levels. While testosterone replacement reversed some effects in younger rats, it was ineffective in older rats. However, administration of 3α-diol improved performance across all ages, suggesting that 3α-diol, rather than testosterone, could mitigate age-related cognitive and affective declines.