Estrogen-induced sexual receptivity and localization of 3H-estradiol in brains of female mice: Effects of 5α-reduced androgens, progestins and cyproterone acetate

Implantation of Dihydrotestosterone Propionate into the Lateral Septum Inhibits Sexual Receptivity in Estrogen-Primed, Ovariectomized Rats

“…However, in ex periment I, DHTP implanted either within or near the VMH did not reliably depress lordotic behavior as com pared to cholesterol implanted control animals. This find ing is in agreement with other studies [8,14] which suggest that the inhibitory effect of DHT on lordosis is not simply the result of an antiestrogenic action of this androgen as has previously been suggested [7], Implantation of DHTP into the LS consistently inhibit ed lordosis in the present 2 experiments; however, the mag nitude of the inhibition observed was not as large as has been previously reported after systemic administration of DHTP to ovariectomized, estrogen-primed rats [2,3]. There are at least 2 possible explanations for this.…”

Evidence that a factor besides progesterone, prolactin, or plasma-estradiol-binding protein inhibits estrogen-induced sexual receptivity in pregnant rats.

“…The preliminary results reported in Experiment 4, which suggest that plasma levels of Sa-reduced androgens are elevated in pregnant rats, raise the possibility that these steroids contribute to the reduced behavioral responsiveness to estrogen which is characteristic of such animals. Although more research is needed to test this hypothesis, it is worth pointing out that administration of DHT has been found strongly to inhibit feminine sexual behavior in the mouse (Luttge, Jasper, Gray, & Sheets, 1977), guinea pig (Bridson & Goy, cited in Luttge et al, 1977), hamster (DeBold, Ruppert, & Clemens, 1978Noble & Alsum, 1975), and rhesus monkey (Wallen & Goy, 1978), in addition to the rat (Baum & Vreeburg, 1976). Although differences of degree exist, in each of these species as well as in many additional ones the incidence of sexual behavior declines in the course of pregnancy, even though endogenous blood levels of estradiol are elevated as parturition approaches.…”

Progesterone and 3α-androstanediol conjugated to bovine serum albumin affects estrous behavior when applied to the MBH and POA.

“…The 5α-reduced metabolite of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), 5α-androstane-3α, 17β-diol (3α-diol), is another steroid that may have membrane effects relevant for sexual behavior. Although DHT has long been known to have inhibitory actions on lordosis (Luttge, Jasper, Gray, & Sheets, 1977), substantial evidence suggests that its metabolite 3α-diol is responsible for this inhibition (Erskine, 1983, 1987b). Circulating concentrations of 3α-diol change over the estrous cycle and are increased following mating on the evening of proestrus (Erskine, 1987a, 1987b).…”