2.3.1. Plasmatic testosterone quantification
Male rats were euthanized with diethyl ether and blood samples
were collected from the abdominal aorta into syringes containing
heparin, always at the same time. Immediately after collection, blood
samples were centrifuged (2500 rpm for 20 min at 2 °C) and the plasma
was frozen until assayed. Blood plasma testosterone was measured by
radioimmunoassay using ImmuChem™ Double Antibody 125I RIA Kit
(MP Biomedicals, Orangeburg, NY) according to the manufacturer's
instructions. Samples were analyzed in a double assay format, the
intra-assay coefficient of variation and the minimum sensitivity of the
assay were 10.1% and 0.035 ng/ml respectively.