Sexual-incentive motivation and paced sexual behavior in female rats after treatment with drugs modifying dopaminergic neurotransmission

The display of copulatory behaviors usually requires the presence of a mate and is, therefore, preceded by a search for and approach to a potential partner. The intensity of approach behaviors is determined by a process labeled sexual incentive motivation. Although it is known that female sexual motivation depends on estrogens, their site of action within the brain is unknown. In the present experiment, we obtained data relevant to this issue. An shRNA encoded within an adeno-associated viral (AAV) vector directed against the estrogen receptor α (ERα) gene (or containing a nonsense base sequence as a control treatment) was injected bilaterally into the ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus (VMN) or the posterodorsal amygdala (MePDA) of female rats. After an 80% reduction of the number of ERα in the VMN, sexual incentive motivation was absent after treatment with estradiol and progesterone. Proceptivity and receptivity were also much reduced, while the number of rejections was enhanced. Suppression of the ERα in the MePDA lacked these effects. Likewise, the inactive control AAV vector failed to modify any behavior. Thus, the ERα in the VMN, but not in the MePDA, is important for proceptivity and receptivity as well as for sexual incentive motivation. These results show that ERα in the VMN is crucial for the entire sequence of behavioral events from the processes leading to the establishment of sexual contact until the accomplishment of copulatory behaviors.

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“…No cleaning is made between subjects within a session. This is the standard procedure used in the laboratory [26,27]. …”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Estrogen-Induced Sexual Incentive Motivation, Proceptivity and Receptivity Depend on a Functional Estrogen Receptor α in the Ventromedial Nucleus of the Hypothalamus but Not in the Amygdala

et al. 2009

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“…Thus, although both these serotonin receptors have been found to be involved in the control of lordosis, they do not seem to be involved in sexual approach behaviors. Differences between drug effects on the stereotyped copulatory behaviors and effects on sexual approach behaviors have earlier been reported for other kinds of drugs (e.g., Ågmo 2003a,b;Ellingsen and Ågmo 2004) and do not seem to be peculiar for the serotonergic system. In contrast to the lack of effect on sexual incentive motivation, the 5-HT 2C antagonist reduced all aspects of locomotor activity equally in females treated with paroxetine and in control females.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 54%

“…In the arena, a virtual zone of 20×30 cm outside each cage was defined as the incentive zone. Detailed descriptions of this setup can be found elsewhere (Ågmo 2003a,b;Ågmo et al 2004;Ellingsen and Ågmo 2004). A video tracking system (Ethovision, Noldus, Wageningen, the Netherlands) determined the experimental subject's position with a frequency of 5 Hz.…”

Section: Apparatusmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The injection volume was 0.2 ml/rat. These doses are standard in the laboratory and assure complete receptivity and a high level of proceptive behaviors (e.g., Ellingsen and Ågmo 2004).…”

Section: Apparatusmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In the present experiment, we determined the effects of chronic paroxetine on female rat sexual incentive motivation in a procedure specially designed for that purpose (see Ellingsen and Ågmo 2004;Spiteri et al 2010). Paroxetine was employed because it has been reported that this SSRI has a larger impact on sexual functioning than most other SSRIs (Clayton et al 2002).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Paroxetine-induced reduction of sexual incentive motivation in female rats is not modified by 5-HT1B or 5-HT2C antagonists

Kaspersen

Ågmo

2011

Psychopharmacology

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Female Reproductive Behavior

Snoeren

2018

Current Topics in Behavioral Neurosciences

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Reproductive behavior is the behavior related to the production of offspring and includes all aspects from the establishment of mating systems, courtship, sexual behavior, parturition, to the care of young. In this chapter, I outline the hormonal regulation of the estrous cycle, followed by a description of the neural regulation of female sexual behavior. Ovarian hormones play an important role in the induction of ovulation and behavioral estrus, in which they interact closely with several neurotransmitters and neuropeptides to induce sexual behavior. This chapter discusses the latest research on the role of estrogen, progesterone, serotonin, dopamine, noradrenaline, oxytocin and GABA in female mating behavior. In addition, the most relevant brain areas, such as the preoptic area and the ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus, in which these regulations take place, are discussed.

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Sexual-incentive motivation and paced sexual behavior in female rats after treatment with drugs modifying dopaminergic neurotransmission

Cited by 59 publications

References 78 publications

Estrogen-Induced Sexual Incentive Motivation, Proceptivity and Receptivity Depend on a Functional Estrogen Receptor α in the Ventromedial Nucleus of the Hypothalamus but Not in the Amygdala

Estrogen-Induced Sexual Incentive Motivation, Proceptivity and Receptivity Depend on a Functional Estrogen Receptor α in the Ventromedial Nucleus of the Hypothalamus but Not in the Amygdala

Paroxetine-induced reduction of sexual incentive motivation in female rats is not modified by 5-HT1B or 5-HT2C antagonists

Female Reproductive Behavior

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