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Germé K, Pfaus JG. Acute ethanol disrupts conditioned inhibition in the male rat. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2024:10.1007/s00213-024-06618-5. [PMID: 38822097 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-024-06618-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/02/2024]
Abstract
RATIONALE Alcohol can disrupt conditioned sexual inhibition (CSI) established by first-order conditioning in male rats. CSI can also be induced using second-order conditioning, during which male rats are trained to associate a neutral odor with a nonreceptive female. As a result, when given access to two receptive females (one scented and one unscented) during a copulatory preference test, they display CSI toward the scented female. OBJECTIVE The present study examined the effect of low-to-moderate doses of alcohol on CSI and brain activation following exposure to alcohol and the olfactory cue alone. METHODS Sexually-naïve Long-Evans rats received alternate conditioning sessions with unscented receptive or scented (almond extract) non-receptive females. Following the conditioning phase, males were injected with saline, alcohol 0.5 g/kg or 1 g/kg, 45 min before a copulatory test with two receptive females, with one bearing the olfactory cue. Fos activation was later assessed, following exposure to alcohol and the olfactory cue alone, in several brain regions involved in the expression and regulation of male sexual behavior. RESULTS While males in the saline group displayed sexual avoidance towards the scented female, those injected with alcohol before the copulatory test, regardless of the dose, copulated indiscriminately with both females. Subsequent exposure to alcohol and the olfactory cue alone induced different Fos expression between groups in several brain regions. CONCLUSIONS Low to moderate doses of alcohol disrupt conditioned sexual inhibition in male rats and induce a differential pattern of neural activation, particularly in regions involved in the expression and regulation of sexual behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katuschia Germé
- Center for Studies in Behavioral Neurobiology, Department of Biology, Concordia University, Montréal, QC, H4B 1R7, Canada
| | - James G Pfaus
- Center for Sexual Health and Intervention, Czech National Institute of Mental Health, Klecany, 25067, Czech Republic.
- Department of Psychology and Life Sciences, Faculty of Humanities, Charles University, Prague, 18200, Czech Republic.
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Phillips-Farfán BV, Quintanar BG, Reyes R, Fernández-Guasti A. Distribution of estrogen receptors alpha and beta in the brain of male rats with same-sex preference. Physiol Behav 2023; 268:114237. [PMID: 37192686 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2023.114237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Two distinct estrogen receptors (ERs) exist, ERα and ERβ. Both receptors participate in the sexual differentiation of the rat brain and likely participate in the regulation of adult sexual orientation (i.e. partner preference). This last idea was investigated herein by examining males treated with the aromatase inhibitor, letrozole, administered prenatally (0.56 μg/kg G10-22). This treatment usually provokes same-sex preference in 1-2 males per litter. Vehicle-treated males (with female preference) and females in spontaneous proestrus (with male preference) were included as controls. ERα and ERβ expression was analyzed by immunohistochemistry in brain areas known to control masculine sexual behavior and partner preference, like the medial preoptic area (MPOA), bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST), medial amygdala (MeA) and ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus (VMH), as well as other brain regions suspected to participate in these processes. In addition, serum levels of estradiol were determined in all male groups. Letrozole-treated male rats that preferred sexually experienced males (LPM) showed over-expressed ERα in the hippocampal cornu Ammonis (CA 1, 3, 4) and dentate gyrus. The LPM group showed up-regulated ERβ expression in the CA2 and reticular thalamic nucleus. The levels of estradiol did not differ between the groups. The higher expression of ERs in these males was different than their expression in females, with male sex-preference. This suggests that males with same-sex preference showed a unique brain, this sui generis steroid receptor expression probably participates in the biological underpinnings of sexual preference.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Rebeca Reyes
- Departament of Pharmacobiology, Cinvestav, Unidad Coapa
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3
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Rats in proestrus-estrus present more attention behaviors toward males and exhibit higher prefrontal-parietal EEG synchronization. Physiol Behav 2023; 263:114136. [PMID: 36841322 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2023.114136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Revised: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/27/2023]
Abstract
According to the different stages of the estrous cycle, female rats exhibit behavioral changes associated with variations in sex hormone levels that affect the functionality of certain brain regions. In this study, we characterized the attention that female rats paid to a sexually-experienced male and the degree of electroencephalographic (EEG) activation and coupling between the medial prefrontal and posterior parietal cortices during antagonistic phases of the estrous cycle (proestrus-estrus vs. diestrous). The degree of attention paid to the stimulus was measured by the number of nose pokes performed while the rats were in a sexual incentive motivation box. EEGs were recorded in two conditions: a) awake-quiet state with no male rat present; and b) awake-quiet state in the presence of a male. Only during proestrus-estrus did the females show lower latency with a higher frequency and duration of nose pokes. In both cortices, the receptive females presented higher absolute power in all EEG bands recorded in the presence of the male, regardless of the phase of the estrous cycle. They also had greater EEG coupling between the medial prefrontal and posterior parietal cortices of the left hemisphere in all EEG bands regardless of the presence of a male. The higher synchronization between prefronto-parietal areas could be associated with the greater attention paid to, and adequate processing of, the sexual stimuli emitted by the male. Hence, it is probable that manifesting the proceptivity and receptivity behaviors characteristic of the proestrus-estrus phase requires a higher functional coupling between the prefrontal and parietal cortices.
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Fernández-Guasti A, Quintanar BG, Reyes R, Hernández A, Chavira R, Roselli CE. Androgen receptors immunoreactivity in the rat brain of males with same-sex preference. Horm Behav 2022; 146:105279. [PMID: 36370679 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2022.105279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Androgen receptors (AR) are crucial in the control of male sexual behavior and sex preference. AR are particularly concentrated in areas related with the neuroendocrine control of sex preference including the medial amygdala (MeA), the ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus (VMH), the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST), the medial preoptic area (MPOA), the nucleus accumbens (Acb), the suprachiasmatic (SCh) and supraoptic (SO) nuclei, but also seem to be important for the control of reproductive processes in the hippocampus (CA1-CA4 and dentate gyrus, DG). In the present study we analyzed the density of AR in these brain areas of adult male rats with sexual preference (established in a three-compartment box). Same-sex preference was produced in male rats by the prenatal administration of the aromatase inhibitor, letrozole (0.56 μg/kg/ml s.c. G10-22) that usually produces 1-2 animals per litter with same sex preference, while the others retain a female sex preference. We also included a group of proestrus females that had a clear preference for a sexually active male. AR were analyzed by immunocytochemistry using PG21 as primary antibody. We also measured total plasma testosterone concentrations by radioimmunoassay. In males with same sex preference there was a specific AR overexpression in CA3 and CA4 that suggests a feminized pattern because females in proestrus trend to show a higher density of AR in these hippocampal areas. Sex differences in AR density were found in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACg) and frontoparietal cortex (FrPa). Serum levels of testosterone did not differ between groups. Data are discussed based on the role of AR in the hippocampus.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Rebeca Reyes
- Departament of Pharmacobiology, Cinvestav, Unidad Coapa, México City, Mexico
| | - Alejandra Hernández
- Departament of Pharmacobiology, Cinvestav, Unidad Coapa, México City, Mexico
| | - Roberto Chavira
- Departamento de Biología de la Reproducción, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, México City, Mexico
| | - Charles E Roselli
- Department of Chemical Physiology and Biochemistry, Oregon Health Science University, Portland, OR, USA
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MALE RATS EXHIBIT HIGHER PREFRONTAL-PARIETAL EEG SYNCHRONIZATION DURING THE SEXUALLY-MOTIVATED STATE. Physiol Behav 2022; 256:113937. [DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2022.113937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2022] [Revised: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Hernández-González M, Maldonado R, Hernández-Arteaga E, Guevara MA. Prenatally stress-exposed male rats present lower theta prefrontal activity during attention behaviors to receptive females. Stress 2021; 24:978-986. [PMID: 34525897 DOI: 10.1080/10253890.2021.1976140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Prenatal stress affects brain functionality and sexual behavior. The medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) participates in the integration and processing of sexual stimuli. Electroencephalographic (EEG) theta activity has been associated with attention as well as rewarding and sexually motivated states. Considering that the induction of sexual motivation requires attention to, and the adequate processing of, sexual stimuli, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of exposure to stress during the prenatal period on EEG activity in the mPFC during nose pokes in adulthood, actions which are indicators of attention to a receptive female. Eighteen sexually experienced male rats were used, nine stressed prenatally by immobilization during days 14-21 of gestation (stress-exposed group). The other nine formed the control group. All rats were implanted bilaterally in the mPFC (specifically in prelimbic areas) and were allowed one intromission with a receptive female to induce a sexually motivated state before the experimental session. During this session, both nose pokes and non-contact erections in the male rats were evaluated in the presence of an inaccessible receptive female. EEGs were recorded only during nose pokes. The stress-exposed group presented lower nose poke duration, fewer non-contact erections, and lower relative power of the theta band (4-7 Hz) in both prefrontal areas. Considering that the prevalence of this band is associated with attention and motivational processes, these data confirm the deleterious effect of prenatal stress on attention and sexual activation to sexually relevant stimuli in male rats during adulthood.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rodrigo Maldonado
- Instituto de Neurociencias, Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Mexico
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Habel U, Regenbogen C, Kammann C, Stickel S, Chechko N. Male brain processing of the body odor of ovulating women compared to that of pregnant women. Neuroimage 2021; 229:117733. [PMID: 33484852 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2021.117733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2020] [Revised: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Female chemical signals underlie the advertising of sexual receptivity and fertility. Whether the body odor of a pregnant woman also has a signaling function with respect to male behavior is yet to be conclusively established. This study examines how the body odors of ovulating and pregnant women differentially affect the behavior of heterosexual men. Body odor samples were collected from 5 pregnant women and 5 matched controls during ovulation. In a double-blind functional magnetic resonance imaging design, 18 heterosexual men were exposed to female body odors during ovulation (OV) and pregnancy (PRG) while being required to indicate the attractiveness of concurrently presented female portrait images. The participants were also required to indicate whether they assumed a depicted woman was pregnant. While neither OV nor PRG altered the perceived attractiveness of a presented face, the men tended to identify the women as pregnant while exposed to a PRG body odor. On the neural level, OV activated a network of the frontotemporal and limbic regions, while PRG activated the superior medial frontal gyrus. The results suggest that the detection of sexual availability activates the male brain regions associated with face processing and reward/motivation, whereas sensing pregnancy activates a region responsible for empathy and prosocial behavior. Thus, the female body odor during pregnancy likely helps foster circumstances conducive to the future care of offspring while the body odor advertising sexual availability promotes mating behavior. The brains of heterosexual men may be capable of unconsciously discriminating between these two types of olfactory stimuli.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ute Habel
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Medical Faculty, Uniklinik RWTH Aachen, Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany; Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine: JARA-Institute Brain Structure Function Relationship (INM 10), Research Center Jülich, Wilhelm-Johne Strasse, 52425 Jülich, Germany.
| | - Christina Regenbogen
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Medical Faculty, Uniklinik RWTH Aachen, Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany; Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine: JARA-Institute Brain Structure Function Relationship (INM 10), Research Center Jülich, Wilhelm-Johne Strasse, 52425 Jülich, Germany; Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Tomtebodavägen 18A, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Catharina Kammann
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Medical Faculty, Uniklinik RWTH Aachen, Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany; Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 40, 6229 ER Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Susanne Stickel
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Medical Faculty, Uniklinik RWTH Aachen, Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany; Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine: JARA-Institute Brain Structure Function Relationship (INM 10), Research Center Jülich, Wilhelm-Johne Strasse, 52425 Jülich, Germany.
| | - Natalia Chechko
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Medical Faculty, Uniklinik RWTH Aachen, Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany; Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine: JARA-Institute Brain Structure Function Relationship (INM 10), Research Center Jülich, Wilhelm-Johne Strasse, 52425 Jülich, Germany.
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Hernández-Arteaga E, Hernández-González M, Bonilla-Jaime H, Guevara MA, Ågmo A. Pubertal stress decreases sexual motivation and supresses the relation between cerebral theta rhythms and testosterone levels in adult male rats. Brain Res 2020; 1745:146937. [PMID: 32505750 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2020.146937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2019] [Revised: 05/27/2020] [Accepted: 06/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
This study evaluated the effect of stress during puberty on sexual motivation and the correlation between serum testosterone levels (T) and the absolute power of the theta electroencephalographic rhythms, recorded in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and basolateral amygdala (BLA) of adult male rats. Thirty males of the stressed group (SG, housed 1 per cage from days 25-50) and 30 controls (CG, housed 5 per cage), were tested in copulatory interactions at 90 days of age. The above mentioned physiological parameters were obtained during the awake-quiet state in a sub-group without sexual motivation (WSM, n = 15, stimulated with a nonreceptive female) and a sub-group with sexual motivation (SM, n = 15, stimulated with a receptive-female). Pearson correlations (r) between these parameters were calculated for each sub-group and brain structure and then compared between sub-groups. SG presented higher mount and intromission latencies than CG. While CG-WSM showed a positive r between T levels and theta band (0.23-0.59), those CG-SM presented a negative r (-0.23 to -0.67). An r that tended towards zero (-0.31 to 0.29) was obtained in both stressed sub-groups. This study shows that pubertal stress suppresses the relation between serum T levels and theta rhythms in the mPFC and BLA in adult male rats. This is one of the first studies evaluating the association between these two physiological parameters specifically in the context of sexual motivation; thus increasing our understanding of the effect of pubertal stress on prefrontal-amygdaline functioning during the sexually-motivated state in male rats.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Herlinda Bonilla-Jaime
- Departamento de Biología de la Reproducción, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Iztapalapa, Mexico
| | - Miguel Angel Guevara
- Instituto de Neurociencias, Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
| | - Anders Ågmo
- Psychology Department, Tromsø University, Tromsø, Norway
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II. Antidepressants and sexual behavior: Acute fluoxetine, but not ketamine, disrupts paced mating behavior in sexually experienced female rats. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2020; 199:173040. [PMID: 32931803 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2020.173040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2020] [Revised: 09/02/2020] [Accepted: 09/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Female sexual dysfunction is both a symptom of depression and exacerbated by treatments for depression. Ketamine, a novel treatment for depression, has been shown to enhance, whereas fluoxetine has been shown to impair sexual motivation. Sexual experience leads to more robust partner preference and paced mating behavior in female rats. Whether acute ketamine and fluoxetine similarly affect sexual motivation and mating behavior in sexually experienced female rats is unknown. Sexually experienced female rats received 10 mg/kg i.p. of ketamine or saline vehicle (Experiment 1) or 10 mg/kg i.p. of fluoxetine or water vehicle (Experiment 2) 30 min before a 10-min no-contact partner preference test followed immediately by a 15-intromission paced mating test. Partner preference and paced mating behavior did not differ between ketamine- and saline-treated rats. In contrast, rats treated with fluoxetine spent significantly less time with either stimulus animal and were less active during the partner preference test than water-treated rats. Additionally, contact-return latency to ejaculation was significantly longer in fluoxetine-treated rats and they spent less time with the male during paced mating in comparison to water-treated rats. Thus, even with sexual experience, fluoxetine disrupts sexual function whereas ketamine has no detrimental effects on sexual behavior in female rats. A growing body of evidence suggests that ketamine is an encouraging new approach to treat depression particularly because it is not associated with sexual dysfunction.
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Mihalčíková L, Ochozková A, Šlamberová R. Effect of methamphetamine exposure on sexual behavior and locomotor activity of adult male rats. Physiol Res 2019; 68:S339-S346. [PMID: 31928051 DOI: 10.33549/physiolres.934357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Drug addiction and its consequences on social life and behavior is currently a worldwide problem. Methamphetamine (MA) is one of the most abused psychostimulants in the Czech Republic. MA elevates mood, increases concentration, reduces appetite, and promotes weight loss. However, high doses and long-term abuse can induce psychosis, hallucinations, paranoia, violent behavior, and can lead to cardiovascular problems. Regarding its high prevalence and negative impact on health and social life, MA needs to be fully investigated. Previous studies have demonstrated the impairing effect of MA drug abuse on female behavior. However, MA's influence on male sexual behavior is not entirely clear. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of MA exposure on sexual behavior and spontaneous locomotor activity of adult male rats. MA was administrated subcutaneously at a dose of 5 mg/kg daily for a period of 30 days. The control group was exposed to saline (SA) at the same time and same volume. At the end of the application period, exposed male rats were paired with non-treated female rats, and their behavior was recorded for 2 h. Sexual mating behavior was described in terms of mounting frequency, intromission frequency, ejaculation frequency, sniffing time, intromission latency and the post-ejaculatory interval. Spontaneous locomotor activity in postnatally exposed male rats was studied using the Laboras apparatus. Acute doses of MA (1 mg/kg) or SA were administrated to probe the sensitizing effect of previous chronic MA exposure. Afterward, the animal was placed in an unknown environment and monitored for 1 h. Behavior was automatically evaluated using Laboras software by analyzing the following parameters: duration of locomotion (s), duration of immobility (s), rearing (vertical exploratory behavior), time spent grooming (s), average speed (mm/s), and distance traveled (m). Our results indicate that MA administration has a negligible effect on the sexual behavior of adult male rats. However, more experiments have to be performed to examine the influence of MA exposure on spermatogenesis and the behavior of offspring. Data from the Laboras test showed that MA exposure has a significant effect on locomotor activity in both acute as well as subchronic MA application. In conclusion, our results show that administration of MA in adult male rats does not affect sexual performance and motivation but does increase locomotor and exploratory activity in an unknown environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Mihalčíková
- Department of Physiology, Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic.
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11
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Bialy M, Bogacki-Rychlik W, Przybylski J, Zera T. The Sexual Motivation of Male Rats as a Tool in Animal Models of Human Health Disorders. Front Behav Neurosci 2019; 13:257. [PMID: 31956302 PMCID: PMC6947634 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2019.00257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2019] [Accepted: 10/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Normal or dysfunctional sexual behavior seems to be an important indicator of health or disease. Many health disorders in male patients affect sexual activity by directly causing erectile dysfunction, affecting sexual motivation, or both. Clinical evidence indicates that many diseases strongly disrupt sexual motivation and sexual performance in patients with depression, addiction, diabetes mellitus and other metabolic disturbances with obesity and diet-related factors, kidney and liver failure, circadian rhythm disorders, sleep disturbances including obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, developmental and hormonal disorders, brain damages, cardiovascular diseases, and peripheral neuropathies. Preclinical studies of these conditions often require appropriate experimental paradigms, including animal models. Male sexual behavior and motivation have been intensively investigated over the last 80 years in animal rat model. Sexual motivation can be examined using such parameters as: anticipatory behavior and 50-kHz ultrasonic vocalizations reflecting the emotional state of rats, initiation of copulation, efficiency of copulation, or techniques of classical (pavlovian) and instrumental conditioning. In this review article, we analyze the behavioral parameters that describe the sexual motivation and sexual performance of male rats in the context of animal experimental models of human health disorders. Based on analysis of the parameters describing the heterogeneous and complex structure of sexual behavior in laboratory rodents, we propose an approach that is useful for delineating distinct mechanisms affecting sexual motivation and sexual performance in selected disease states and the efficacy of therapy in preclinical investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michal Bialy
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Physiology, Laboratory of Centre for Preclinical Research, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Wiktor Bogacki-Rychlik
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Physiology, Laboratory of Centre for Preclinical Research, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Jacek Przybylski
- Department of Biophysics and Human Physiology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Tymoteusz Zera
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Physiology, Laboratory of Centre for Preclinical Research, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
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12
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Cortes PM, Hernández-Arteaga E, Sotelo-Tapia C, Guevara MA, Medina AC, Hernández-González M. Effects of inactivation of the ventral tegmental area on prefronto-accumbens activity and sexual motivation in male rats. Physiol Behav 2019; 209:112593. [PMID: 31255646 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2019.112593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2019] [Revised: 06/26/2019] [Accepted: 06/26/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Sexual motivation requires the processing of sexual stimuli. The prefrontal cortex (PFC) and nucleus accumbens (NAcc) receive dopaminergic innervation from the ventral tegmental area (VTA). Both structures participate in processing stimuli, and their adequate functioning is modulated by dopamine and other neurotransmitters. This study was designed to determine the effect of inactivation of the VTA on sexual motivation, relative power (RP) and electroencephalographic (EEG) correlation of the PFC and NAcc in male rats. A total of 20 rats implanted with electrodes in the left medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and NAcc, and with bilateral cannulae in the VTA, were divided into two groups of 10 rats each, one injected with tetrodotoxin (TTX), the other with a vehicle solution (VEH). EEGs from the mPFC and NAcc were recorded during the awake-quiet state in the presence of either a receptive or non-receptive female. The TTX group showed a lower preference for the receptive female accompanied by a lower RP of the 8-13 and 14-30 Hz bands in the mPFC. Also, in the presence of the receptive female, the TTX group had a lower RP of the 8-13 Hz band in the NAcc, but a higher prefronto-accumbens correlation in the same band. These results provide evidence that VTA activity is necessary for the adequate functioning of the mPFC and NAcc and, therefore, also for the adequate processing of sexually-relevant stimuli that allows the induction and maintenance of sexual motivation in male rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Manuel Cortes
- Instituto de Neurociencias, Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
| | | | - Carolina Sotelo-Tapia
- Instituto de Neurociencias, Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
| | - Miguel Angel Guevara
- Instituto de Neurociencias, Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
| | - Andrea Cristina Medina
- Departamento de Neurobiología Conductual y Cognitiva, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Querétaro, Mexico
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Huang AC, Wu JM, Chang YH, Dubey NK, Chiu AW, Yeh CY, Tsai TH, Yeh KY. Neuronal nitric oxide synthase activity mediates Lycium barbarum polysaccharides-enhanced sexual performance without stimulating noncontact erection in rats. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2019; 236:1293-1301. [PMID: 30539267 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-018-5141-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2018] [Accepted: 11/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBP) is known to promote reproductive functions. However, its role in noncontact erection (NCE) of penis initiated by brain regions including medial preoptic area (MPOA) and paraventricular nucleus (PVN) regions responsible for sexual behavior has not been investigated. OBJECTIVES Therefore, this study initially investigated the effects of LBP on male sexual function, and subsequently, the mechanistic insight was investigated through assessing the expression of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) in the MPOA and PVN. METHODS The adult male rats were treated with 100 mg/kg of LBP or vehicle by oral gavage. Before and after 14 days of treatment, copulatory behavior and noncontact erection (NCE) were recorded. After the last behavioral test, the brain was isolated to measure nNOS expression in the MPOA and PVN. RESULTS Data showed that LBP treatment significantly increased both the frequencies of intromission as well as ejaculation, compared to the control group. Whereas, a reduced post-ejaculatory interval was observed compared to same group on day 0. Furthermore, the treatment led to an increased intromission ratio, inter-intromission interval, and the number of MPOA nNOS-immunoreactive cells (nNOS-ir). Additionally, a significantly positive correlation between ejaculation frequency and MPOA nNOS-ir cells was recorded. Of note, LBP treatment had no effects on NCE and PVN nNOS-ir expression. CONCLUSION These findings suggest that LBP enhances sexual behavior through increased nNOS expression in the MPOA in male rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andy C Huang
- Institute of Traditional Medicine, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Urology, Taipei City Hospital Ren-Ai Branch, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jia-Min Wu
- Department of Physical Therapy, Hung Kuang University, No. 1018, Sec. 6, Taiwan Boulevard, Shalu District, Taichung, 43302, Taiwan
| | - Ya-Han Chang
- Department of Physical Therapy, Hung Kuang University, No. 1018, Sec. 6, Taiwan Boulevard, Shalu District, Taichung, 43302, Taiwan
| | - Navneet Kumar Dubey
- Ceramics and Biomaterials Research Group, Advanced Institute of Materials Science, Ton Duc Thang University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.,Faculty of Applied Sciences, Ton Duc Thang University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Allen W Chiu
- Institute of Traditional Medicine, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Urology, Taipei City Hospital Ren-Ai Branch, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Yu Yeh
- Department of Nursing, Ching Kuo Institute of Management and Health, Keelung, Taiwan
| | - Tung-Hu Tsai
- Institute of Traditional Medicine, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Chemical Engineering, National United University, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Kuei-Ying Yeh
- Department of Physical Therapy, Hung Kuang University, No. 1018, Sec. 6, Taiwan Boulevard, Shalu District, Taichung, 43302, Taiwan.
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14
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Ogrizek M, Grgurevič N, Snoj T, Majdič G. Injections to pregnant mice produce prenatal stress that affects aggressive behavior in their adult male offspring. Horm Behav 2018; 106:35-43. [PMID: 30201533 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2018.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2018] [Revised: 09/04/2018] [Accepted: 09/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Maternal stress could reprogram the developing fetal nervous system. A common target of maternal glucocorticoids is fetal neuro-endocrine axis. In the present study, pregnant mice were exposed to stress by injection and their male offspring were tested for sexual and aggressive behaviors in adult life. Three groups of pregnant mice were exposed to stress by sham syringe injection. The first group was injected on days 13, 14, and 15 p.c., the second group was injected on days 17 and 18 p.c., and the third group was injected daily from days 13 to 18 p.c. while control mice were not injected. Male offspring that were exposed to stress on days 13-18 p.c. and 17-18 p.c. were less aggressive and had lower blood testosterone levels in comparison to the control group. In male sexual behavior, there were no statistically significant differences between the groups. Body weight differed significantly with groups injected on days 13-18 p.c. and 13-15 p.c. having significantly higher body weight in adult life than the other two groups. After behavioral testing, brains were processed for immunohistochemical staining with antibodies against vasopressin (AVP) and calbindin (CALB). The expression of AVP and CALB in the lateral septum and in the preoptic area, respectively, did not differ between groups, suggesting that these two masculinization markers were not affected by prenatal stress. Present study therefore shows that even presumably mild and short prenatal stress weakens aggressive behavior of adult male mice, possibly due to reduced testosterone levels in blood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Ogrizek
- Institute of Preclinical Sciences, Veterinary Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Gerbičeva 60, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Neža Grgurevič
- Institute of Preclinical Sciences, Veterinary Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Gerbičeva 60, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Tomaž Snoj
- Institute of Preclinical Sciences, Veterinary Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Gerbičeva 60, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Gregor Majdič
- Institute of Preclinical Sciences, Veterinary Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Gerbičeva 60, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; Institute of Physiology, Medical School, University of Maribor, Maribor, Slovenia.
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15
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Rats selectively bred for showing divergent behavioral traits in response to stress or novelty or spontaneous yawning with a divergent frequency show similar changes in sexual behavior: the role of dopamine. Rev Neurosci 2018; 30:427-454. [DOI: 10.1515/revneuro-2018-0058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2018] [Accepted: 07/26/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Abstract
Sexual behavior plays a fundamental role for reproduction in mammals and other animal species. It is characterized by an anticipatory and a consummatory phase, and several copulatory parameters have been identified in each phase, mainly in rats. Sexual behavior varies significantly across rats even when they are of the same strain and reared under identical conditions. This review shows that rats of the same strain selectively bred for showing a divergent behavioral trait when exposed to stress or novelty (i.e. Roman high and low avoidance rats, bred for their different avoidance response to the shuttle box, and high and low novelty exploration responders rats, bred for their different exploratory response to a novel environment) or a spontaneous behavior with divergent frequency (i.e. low and high yawning frequency rats, bred for their divergent yawning frequency) show similar differences in sexual behavior, mainly in copulatory pattern, but also in sexual motivation. As shown by behavioral pharmacology and intracerebral microdialysis experiments carried out mainly in Roman rats, these sexual differences may be due to a more robust dopaminergic tone present in the mesocorticolimbic dopaminergic system of one of the two sub-lines (e.g. high avoidance, high novelty exploration, and low yawning rat sub-lines). Thus, differences in genotype and/or in prenatal/postnatal environment lead not only to individual differences in temperament and environmental/emotional reactivity but also in sexual behavior. Because of the highly conserved mechanisms controlling reproduction in mammals, this may occur not only in rats but also in humans.
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16
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Hernández-González M, Hernández-Arteaga E, Guevara MA, Almanza-Sepúlveda ML, Ramírez-Rentería ML, Arteaga-Silva M, Bonilla-Jaime H. Prenatal stress suppresses the prefrontal and amygdaline EEG changes associated with a sexually-motivated state in male rats. Physiol Behav 2017; 182:86-92. [DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2017.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2017] [Revised: 09/23/2017] [Accepted: 10/04/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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17
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Meraz-Medina T, Hernández-González M, Bonilla-Jaime H, Guevara MA, Flores-Mancilla L, Vigueras-Villaseñor RM, Arteaga-Silva M. Changes in hormonal levels associated with enforced interval copulation and anxiety in sexually inexperienced and experienced male rats. Physiol Behav 2017; 177:74-81. [PMID: 28385557 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2017.03.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2016] [Revised: 02/19/2017] [Accepted: 03/17/2017] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
This study evaluated the effect of sexual experience on anxiety and hormonal levels associated with the performance of sexual behavior. Two groups of male rats, one with, the second without, sexual experience, were exposed to four different copulatory conditions: ad libitum copulation until ejaculation (ADC-E); enforced interval copulation until ejaculation (EIC-E); ad libitum copulation up to 3 intromissions (ADC-3I); and enforced interval copulation up to 3 intromissions (EIC-E3I). At the end of each condition the animals were subjected to an open-field test to measure anxiety, before being sacrificed to measure corticosterone (CORT) and testosterone (T) levels. The sexually-inexperienced males showed less hyperactivity, lower sexual motivation, and higher anxiety levels. Only in the ADC-E and EIC-E conditions did both the inexperienced and experienced rats have a higher number of entries to the central squares of the open-field test. Both the sexually-inexperienced and experienced male rats showed an increase in CORT levels, but only the latter had increased T levels under all copulatory conditions. These findings reveal that the anxiolytic effect of mating is dependent on previous sexual experience and the degree of control that the male rats had during sexual interaction. The changes in the levels of both hormones could be part of the physiological process necessary to satisfy the demands involved in sexual performance and open filed. These data provide further insight into the role of sexual experience in mediating the release of CORT and T, as well as the anxiolytic effects of ejaculation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tzintli Meraz-Medina
- Coordinación Lic. en Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad de Guadalajara, Centro Universitario del Sur, Enrique Arreola 883, Ciudad Guzmán, CP 4900 Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
| | - Marisela Hernández-González
- Instituto de Neurociencias, Universidad de Guadalajara, Francisco de Quevedo 180, Col. Arcos Vallarta, CP 44130 Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
| | - Herlinda Bonilla-Jaime
- Departamento de Biología de la Reproducción, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Iztapalapa, P.O. Box 55 535, CP 09340 Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Miguel Angel Guevara
- Instituto de Neurociencias, Universidad de Guadalajara, Francisco de Quevedo 180, Col. Arcos Vallarta, CP 44130 Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
| | - Leopoldo Flores-Mancilla
- Unidad Académica de Medicina Humana y Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma de Zacatecasa, Ejido la Escondid, CP 98160 Zacatecas, Mexico
| | | | - Marcela Arteaga-Silva
- Departamento de Biología de la Reproducción, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Iztapalapa, P.O. Box 55 535, CP 09340 Ciudad de México, Mexico.
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18
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Sanna F, Bratzu J, Piludu MA, Corda MG, Melis MR, Giorgi O, Argiolas A. Dopamine, Noradrenaline and Differences in Sexual Behavior between Roman High and Low Avoidance Male Rats: A Microdialysis Study in the Medial Prefrontal Cortex. Front Behav Neurosci 2017. [PMID: 28638325 PMCID: PMC5461293 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2017.00108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Roman High- (RHA) and Low-Avoidance (RLA) outbred rats, which differ for a respectively rapid vs. poor acquisition of the active avoidance response in the shuttle-box, display differences in sexual activity when put in the presence of a sexually receptive female rat. Indeed RHA rats show higher levels of sexual motivation and copulatory performance than RLA rats, which persist also after repeated sexual activity. These differences have been correlated to a higher tone of the mesolimbic dopaminergic system of RHA rats vs. RLA rats, revealed by the higher increase of dopamine found in the dialysate obtained from the nucleus accumbens of RHA than RLA rats during sexual activity. This work shows that extracellular dopamine and noradrenaline (NA) also, increase in the dialysate from the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) of male RHA and RLA rats put in the presence of an inaccessible female rat and more markedly during direct sexual interaction. Such increases in dopamine (and its main metabolite 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid, DOPAC) and NA were found in both sexually naïve and experienced animals, but they were higher: (i) in RHA than in RLA rats; and (ii) in sexually experienced RHA and RLA rats than in their naïve counterparts. Finally, the differences in dopamine and NA in the mPFC occurred concomitantly to those in sexual activity, as RHA rats displayed higher levels of sexual motivation and copulatory performance than RLA rats in both the sexually naïve and experienced conditions. These results suggest that a higher dopaminergic tone also occurs in the mPFC, together with an increased noradrenergic tone, which may be involved in the different copulatory patterns found in RHA and RLA rats, as suggested for the mesolimbic dopaminergic system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabrizio Sanna
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Neuroscience and Clinical Pharmacology, and Centre of Excellence for the Neurobiology of Addictions, University of CagliariCagliari, Italy
| | - Jessica Bratzu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Neuroscience and Clinical Pharmacology, and Centre of Excellence for the Neurobiology of Addictions, University of CagliariCagliari, Italy
| | - Maria A Piludu
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Section of Pharmaceutical, Pharmacological and Nutraceutical Sciences, University of CagliariCagliari, Italy
| | - Maria G Corda
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Section of Pharmaceutical, Pharmacological and Nutraceutical Sciences, University of CagliariCagliari, Italy
| | - Maria R Melis
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Neuroscience and Clinical Pharmacology, and Centre of Excellence for the Neurobiology of Addictions, University of CagliariCagliari, Italy
| | - Osvaldo Giorgi
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Section of Pharmaceutical, Pharmacological and Nutraceutical Sciences, University of CagliariCagliari, Italy
| | - Antonio Argiolas
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Neuroscience and Clinical Pharmacology, and Centre of Excellence for the Neurobiology of Addictions, University of CagliariCagliari, Italy.,Institute of Neuroscience, National Research Council, Cagliari SectionCittadella Universitaria, Cagliari, Italy
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19
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Hernández-Arteaga E, Hernández-González M, Rentería MLR, Almanza-Sepúlveda ML, Guevara MA, Silva MA, Jaime HB. Prenatal stress alters the developmental pattern of behavioral indices of sexual maturation and copulation in male rats. Physiol Behav 2016; 163:251-257. [DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2016.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2016] [Revised: 05/06/2016] [Accepted: 05/07/2016] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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20
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Yamada S, Ohoya M, Takanami K, Matsuda KI, Kawata M. Critical role of androgen receptor in the postnatal period in male sexual behavior in rats. Neurosci Lett 2015; 609:189-93. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2015.10.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2015] [Revised: 10/02/2015] [Accepted: 10/13/2015] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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21
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Bialy M, Strefnel M, Nikolaev-Diak A, Socha A, Nikolaev E, Boguszewski PM. Sexual performance and precontact 50-kHz ultrasonic vocalizations in WAG/Rij rats: effects of opioid receptor treatment. Epilepsy Behav 2014; 39:66-72. [PMID: 25216068 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2014.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2014] [Revised: 07/07/2014] [Accepted: 08/02/2014] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
WAG/Rij rats are genetically selected animals that model absence epilepsy in rats. Ultrasonic vocalizations and sexual behavior - both ethologically relevant markers of reward system functioning - are poorly described in this strain. The aim of our experiment was to investigate reward-dependent precontact 50-kHz vocalizations (PVs) and copulatory behavior as well as the effects of opioid receptor treatment on such behaviors in sexually experienced WAG/Rij males and rats from two control strains: Sprague-Dawley and Crl: Han Wistar. We analyzed the effects of the opioid receptor antagonist naltrexone (3 mg/kg) and the agonist morphine (1 mg/kg) administration. Additionally, we analyzed the initiation of copulation in sexually naïve males before drug treatment. A significantly lower number of sexually naïve WAG/Rij rats initiated copulation. Sexually experienced WAG/Rij males differed at the control session (after physiological saline treatment) compared with Sprague-Dawley rats: WAG/Rij rats displayed more 50-kHz precontact vocalizations and had longer mount and intromission latencies, longer ejaculation latency, longer postejaculatory latency to exploration, longer 22-kHz vocalization duration after ejaculation, and longer postejaculatory intromission latency. Compared with Crl: Han Wistar rats, WAG/Rij males displayed longer mount latency and shorter 22-kHz vocalization duration. Neither naltrexone nor morphine affected PVs in all groups. On the other hand, opioid receptor treatment differently influenced the number of intromissions required to achieve ejaculation and 22-kHz postejaculatory vocalization duration in WAG/Rij rats than in both control groups. This suggests functional differences in the opioid system in this strain. As a result of the number of males that initiated copulation as well as the number of intromissions to ejaculation and 22-kHz postejaculatory vocalizations which all depend on D1 receptor activation, we suggest that the proportion of opioid receptor to D1 receptors in WAG/Rij rats is different when compared with the control strains. The reward system of Wag/Rij rats with absence epilepsy is sensitive to social rewards (high level of precontact 50-kHz ultrasounds) although this strain displays a lower level of sexual motivation (longer mount latency) compared with other control strains. A lower number of sexually naïve rats initiating copulation and longer mount latency in sexually experienced males could suggest a moderate depressive-like syndrome in this strain of rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michal Bialy
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Physiology, Banacha 1B, The Medical University of Warsaw, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland.
| | - Michal Strefnel
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Physiology, Banacha 1B, The Medical University of Warsaw, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Anna Nikolaev-Diak
- Teaching Department of Gynaecology and Assisted Birth, The Medical University of Warsaw, Żwirki i Wigury 81, 02-091 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Anna Socha
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Physiology, Banacha 1B, The Medical University of Warsaw, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland
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22
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Electroencephalographic activity during sexual behavior: A novel approach to the analysis of drug effects on arousal and motivation relevant for sexual dysfunctions. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2014; 121:158-69. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2014.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2013] [Revised: 01/16/2014] [Accepted: 02/05/2014] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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23
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Hernández-González M, Amezcua Gutiérrez C, Martin AS, Sánchez KR, Guevara MA. Sexual arousal decreases the functional synchronization between cortical areas in young men. JOURNAL OF SEX & MARITAL THERAPY 2013; 39:264-279. [PMID: 23356552 DOI: 10.1080/0092623x.2012.665815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
The prefrontal cortex and its connections with other cortical areas participate in processing erotic stimuli and hence sexual arousal. Visual erotic stimuli elicit sexual arousal that is associated with changes in electroencephalographic activity. The electroencephalographic correlation analysis provides information on the functional synchronization among areas. This study analyzed the functional interaction among the prefrontal, parietal, and temporal cortices during sexual arousal in young men induced by observing erotic photographs. In 2 groups of heterosexual men-an erotic stimulation group and a neutral stimulation group-the authors recorded electroencephalograms at the F3, F4, T3, T4, P3, and P4 derivations under 2 conditions: baseline and visual stimulation. Heart rate was monitored as a measure of peripheral activation. Participants in the erotic stimulation group reported a moderate degree of sexual arousal and a decrease in heart rate. Decreased inter- and intrahemispheric correlations of the fast frequencies were obtained only in erotic stimulation. These data support differential hemisphere participation in modulating sexual arousal and show that decreased synchronization patterns between prefrontal and posterior cortices (parietal and temporal) favor sexual arousal in young men. The results of this study may contribute to a better understanding of the central nervous system's mechanisms that underlie sexual arousal.
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24
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Ruiz‐Díaz M, Hernández‐González M, Guevara MA, Amezcua C, Ågmo A. Prefrontal EEG Correlation During Tower of Hanoi and WCST Performance: Effect of Emotional Visual Stimuli. J Sex Med 2012; 9:2631-40. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1743-6109.2012.02782.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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25
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Febo M. Prefrontal cell firing in male rats during approach towards sexually receptive female: interactions with cocaine. Synapse 2011; 65:271-7. [PMID: 20687107 DOI: 10.1002/syn.20843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
The medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) plays a role in anticipation of rewards and goal orientation, properties that are influenced by cocaine administration. Single-unit firing was measured in the mPFC of seven male rats during the expression of approach responses toward a sexually receptive female. Nose-poking in male rats was used as a measure of approach behavior during the following periods: a baseline, first exposure to a female, a second baseline 2 h later and a second exposure to female 10 min after cocaine (15 mg kg⁻¹ i.p.). Two types of excitatory responses were identified. First, a subset of cells (23%) showed increased firing activity during nose-poke behavior upon presentation of the female, but not before. Another subset of cells (12%) showed increased firing in the presence of the female only after cocaine was administered. The present results provide preliminary evidence for neurons in the mPFC that are involved in sexually motivated approach behavior and that are modulated by cocaine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcelo Febo
- Department of Psychology, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA.
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26
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Matsuda KI, Mori H, Nugent BM, Pfaff DW, McCarthy MM, Kawata M. Histone deacetylation during brain development is essential for permanent masculinization of sexual behavior. Endocrinology 2011; 152:2760-7. [PMID: 21586557 PMCID: PMC3115610 DOI: 10.1210/en.2011-0193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 115] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Epigenetic histone modifications are emerging as important mechanisms for conveyance of and maintenance of effects of the hormonal milieu to the developing brain. We hypothesized that alteration of histone acetylation status early in development by sex steroid hormones is important for sexual differentiation of the brain. It was found that during the critical period for sexual differentiation, histones associated with promoters of essential genes in masculinization of the brain (estrogen receptor α and aromatase) in the medial preoptic area, an area necessary for male sexual behavior, were differentially acetylated between the sexes. Consistent with these findings, binding of histone deacetylase (HDAC) 2 and 4 to the promoters was higher in males than in females. To examine the involvement of histone deacetylation on masculinization of the brain at the behavioral level, we inhibited HDAC in vivo by intracerebroventricular infusion of the HDAC inhibitor trichostatin A or antisense oligodeoxynucleotide directed against the mRNA for HDAC2 and -4 in newborn male rats. Aspects of male sexual behavior in adulthood were significantly reduced by administration of either trichostatin A or antisense oligodeoxynucleotide. These results demonstrate that HDAC activity during the early postnatal period plays a crucial role in the masculinization of the brain via modifications of histone acetylation status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ken Ichi Matsuda
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan.
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27
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Involvement of Cingulate Cortex in the Formation of Defensive Behavior in Rats. Bull Exp Biol Med 2010; 149:667-70. [DOI: 10.1007/s10517-010-1020-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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28
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Davis JF, Loos M, Di Sebastiano AR, Brown JL, Lehman MN, Coolen LM. Lesions of the medial prefrontal cortex cause maladaptive sexual behavior in male rats. Biol Psychiatry 2010; 67:1199-204. [PMID: 20346444 PMCID: PMC2908911 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2009.12.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2009] [Revised: 12/22/2009] [Accepted: 12/23/2009] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND An inability to inhibit behaviors once they become maladaptive is a component of several psychiatric illnesses, and the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) was identified as a potential mediator of behavioral inhibition. The current study tested if the mPFC is involved in inhibition of sexual behavior when associated with aversive outcomes. METHODS Using male rats, effects of lesions of the infralimbic and prelimbic areas of the mPFC on expression of sexual behavior and ability to inhibit mating were tested using a paradigm of copulation-contingent aversion. RESULTS Medial prefrontal cortex lesions did not alter expression of sexual behavior. In contrast, mPFC lesions completely blocked the acquisition of sex-aversion conditioning and lesioned animals continued to mate, in contrast to the robust behavioral inhibition toward copulation in mPFC intact male animals, resulting in only 22% of intact male animals continuing to mate. However, rats with mPFC lesions were capable of forming a conditioned place preference to sexual reward and conditioned place aversion for lithium chloride, suggesting that these lesions did not alter associative learning or sensitivity for lithium chloride. CONCLUSIONS The current study indicates that animals with mPFC lesions are likely capable of forming the associations with aversive outcomes of their behavior but lack the ability to suppress seeking of sexual reward in the face of aversive consequences. These data may contribute to a better understanding of a common pathology underlying impulse control disorders, as compulsive sexual behavior has a high prevalence of comorbidity with psychiatric disorders and Parkinson's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jon F. Davis
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology, and Anatomy; Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Maarten Loos
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology, and Anatomy; Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Andrea R. Di Sebastiano
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jennifer L. Brown
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology, and Anatomy; Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Michael N. Lehman
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology, and Anatomy; Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA, Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Lique M. Coolen
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology, and Anatomy; Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA, Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada, Department of Physiology& Pharmacology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
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29
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Frohmader KS, Pitchers KK, Balfour ME, Coolen LM. Mixing pleasures: review of the effects of drugs on sex behavior in humans and animal models. Horm Behav 2010; 58:149-62. [PMID: 20004662 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2009.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2009] [Revised: 11/17/2009] [Accepted: 11/24/2009] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Drugs of abuse act on the brain circuits mediating motivation and reward associated with natural behaviors. There is ample evidence that drugs of abuse impact male and female sexual behavior. First, the current review discusses the effect of drugs of abuse on sexual motivation and performance in male and female humans. In particular, we discuss the effects of commonly abused drugs including psychostimulants, opiates, marijuana/THC, and alcohol. In general, drug use affects sexual motivation, arousal, and performance and is commonly associated with increased sexual risk behaviors. Second, studies on effects of systemic administration of drugs of abuse on sexual behavior in animals are reviewed. These studies analyze the effects on sexual performance and motivation but do not investigate the effects of drugs on risk-taking behavior, creating a disconnect between human and animal studies. For this reason, we discuss two studies that focus on the effects of alcohol and methamphetamine on inhibition of maladaptive sex-seeking behaviors in rodents. Third, this review discusses potential brain areas where drugs of abuse may be exerting their effect on sexual behavior with a focus on the mesolimbic system as the site of action. Finally, we discuss recent studies that have brought to light that sexual experience in turn can affect drug responsiveness, including a sensitized locomotor response to amphetamine in female and male rodents as well as enhanced drug reward in male rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karla S Frohmader
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
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30
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Hernández-González M, Guevara MA, Ågmo A. Motivational Influences on the Degree and Direction of Sexual Attraction. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2008; 1129:61-87. [DOI: 10.1196/annals.1417.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
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31
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Hernández-González M, Prieto-Beracoechea CA, Arteaga-Silva M, Guevara MA. Different functionality of the medial and orbital prefrontal cortex during a sexually motivated task in rats. Physiol Behav 2007; 90:450-8. [PMID: 17140612 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2006.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2006] [Revised: 10/13/2006] [Accepted: 10/13/2006] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
This study was designed to analyze whether the electroencephalographic (EEG) activity of the medial (mPFC) and orbital prefrontal cortex (oPFC) was modified during the performance of male rats in a T maze under two different conditions, sexually motivated (with previous intromission and females in the goal boxes of the lateral arms) or sexually non-motivated (without previous intromission and with empty goal boxes). Relative power (RP) of three EEG band frequencies, and inter-hemispheric correlation (r) were calculated and a comparison was made between rats under motivated and non-motivated conditions. In the mPFC of sexually motivated males, an increase of the RP in the 6-7 Hz band as well as a decrease in the 8-11 Hz band was observed in relation to an awake-quiet state and during the walk in the maze stem. Similarly, an increase in the r of the 6-7 Hz band was observed during the walk in the maze stem and when remaining near to a receptive female, when compared to non-motivated males. In the oPFC, only the RP of the 6-7 Hz band was increased during the walk in the maze stem of the motivated males. These data suggest that, among sexually motivated males, the mPFC is involved both in anticipatory and motor execution during the performance of the T maze task, whereas the oPFC is only involved in the motor execution of the T maze. These results are in line with other studies suggesting that the mPFC and oPFC are functionally distinct, regions which may work together during certain behaviors and physiological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Hernández-González
- Instituto de Neurociencias, Universidad de Guadalajara, Francisco de Quevedo 180, Col. Arcos Vallarta, C.P. 44130, Guadalajara City, Jalisco, Mexico.
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Hernández-González M, Navarro-Meza M, Prieto-Beracoechea CA, Guevara MA. Electrical activity of prefrontal cortex and ventral tegmental area during rat maternal behavior. Behav Processes 2006; 70:132-43. [PMID: 16024182 DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2005.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2004] [Revised: 05/02/2005] [Accepted: 06/03/2005] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Maternal behavior is a motivated behavior that includes pup-directed sequential motor acts. The dopaminergic (DAergic) brain systems have been proposed to play an important role in voluntary maternal acts, however, not much is known about the way these systems function during the performance of this behavior. The electroencephalogram (EEG) is a sensitive tool that allows determination of the simultaneous functioning of different structures in relation to specific cognitive processes or motor acts. The present study recorded the function of the two structures that constitute the mesoprefrontal DAergic system, ventral tegmental area (VTA) and prefrontal cortex (PFC) by EEG during the performance of various maternal behaviors. Bilateral EEG from the VTA and medial PFC (mPFC) was simultaneously recorded during typical maternal acts and was compared to that recorded during non-maternal behaviors in freely moving female rats. Three different frequency bands (6-7, 8-11, and 12-21 Hz) were obtained from principal component analysis applied to the EEG for both structures. In the left and right mPFC and VTA, absolute power (AP) of the 8-11 Hz band showed a significant increase during pup retrieval compared to the EEG during walking. In the left and right mPFC and VTA, AP of the three bands showed a significant increase during pup licking with respect to forepaw licking. No differences in the EEG were found during inactive nursing behaviors compared to the awake quiet condition. The mPFC and VTA presented characteristic EEG patterns during active maternal behaviors but not during inactive maternal behaviors. This provides electrical evidence of the involvement of these structures in the performance of maternal behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Hernández-González
- Instituto de Neurociencias, Universidad de Guadalajara, Colonia Jardines del Bosque, 44520 Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico.
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Balfour ME, Brown JL, Yu L, Coolen LM. Potential contributions of efferents from medial prefrontal cortex to neural activation following sexual behavior in the male rat. Neuroscience 2006; 137:1259-76. [PMID: 16388908 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2005.11.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2005] [Revised: 10/19/2005] [Accepted: 11/01/2005] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
The limbic system plays an important role in the regulation of sexual motivation and reward. At the core of this system is an interconnected mesocorticolimbic circuit, comprised of the ventral tegmental area, nucleus accumbens and medial prefrontal cortex. Previously, our laboratory showed that sexual behavior causes neural activation in the ventral tegmental area of male rats. The main goal of this study is to identify afferent inputs to ventral tegmental area neurons that may contribute to their activation during sexual behavior. Hence, the anterograde tracer biotinylated dextran amine was injected into subregions of the rat medial prefrontal cortex, which is known to project to the ventral tegmental area. Visualization of biotinylated dextran amine-labeled axons was combined with immunostaining for sex-induced Fos expression. Quantitative analysis showed that the majority of sex-activated ventral tegmental area neurons receive putative contacts from the infralimbic and prelimbic--but not the anterior cingulate--subregions of the medial prefrontal cortex. Thus, inputs from infralimbic area and prelimbic are in an anatomical position to provide a major source of input during sexual behavior. A second goal of this study was to determine if the medial prefrontal cortex projects to sex-activated neurons in other brain regions important for sexual behavior and motivation. Infralimbic area and prelimbic area sent projections to nucleus accumbens, medial preoptic area, principal nucleus of the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, basolateral amygdala, and parvocellular subparafasicular thalamic nucleus. Thus, the infralimbic and prelimbic subregions of the medial prefrontal cortex may also influence sexual behavior and motivation via brain regions other than the ventral tegmental area.
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Affiliation(s)
- M E Balfour
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology, and Anatomy, University of Cincinnati Medical Center, Vontz Center for Molecular Studies, University of Cincinnati, 3125 Eden Avenue, ML-521, Cincinnati, OH 45267-0521, USA
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Paredes RG, Agmo A. Has dopamine a physiological role in the control of sexual behavior? A critical review of the evidence. Prog Neurobiol 2004; 73:179-226. [PMID: 15236835 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2004.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2003] [Accepted: 05/14/2004] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The role of dopaminergic systems in the control of sexual behavior has been a subject of study for at least 40 years. Not surprisingly, reviews of the area have been published at variable intervals. However, the earlier reviews have been summaries of published research rather than a critical analysis of it. They have focused upon the conclusions presented in the original research papers rather than on evaluating the reliability and functional significance of the data reported to support these conclusions. During the last few years, important new knowledge concerning dopaminergic systems and their behavioral functions as well as the possible role of these systems in sexual behavior has been obtained. For the first time, it is now possible to integrate the data obtained in studies of sexual behavior into the wider context of general dopaminergic functions. To make this possible, we first present an analysis of the nature and organization of sexual behavior followed by a summary of current knowledge about the brain structures of crucial importance for this behavior. We then proceed with a description of the dopaminergic systems within or projecting to these structures. Whenever possible, we also try to include data on the electrophysiological actions of dopamine. Thereafter, we proceed with analyses of pharmacological data and release studies, both in males and in females. Consistently throughout this discussion, we make an effort to distinguish pharmacological effects on sexual behavior from a possible physiological role of dopamine. By pharmacological effects, we mean here drug-induced alterations in behavior that are not the result of the normal actions of synaptically released dopamine in the untreated animal. The conclusion of this endeavor is that pharmacological effects of dopaminergic drugs are variable in both males and females, independently of whether the drugs are administered systemically or intracerebrally. We conclude that the pharmacological data basically reinforce the notion that dopamine is important for motor functions and general arousal. These actions could, in fact, explain most of the effects seen on sexual behavior. Studies of dopamine release, in both males and females, have focused on the nucleus accumbens, a structure with at most a marginal importance for sexual behavior. Since accumbens dopamine release is associated with all kinds of events, aversive as well as appetitive, it can have no specific effect on sexual behavior but promotes arousal and activation of non-specific motor patterns. Preoptic and paraventricular nucleus release of dopamine may have some relationship to mechanisms of ejaculation or to the neuroendocrine consequences of sexual activity or they can be related to other autonomic processes associated with copulation. There is no compelling indication in existing experimental data that dopamine is of any particular importance for sexual motivation. There is experimental evidence showing that it is of no importance for sexual reward.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raúl G Paredes
- Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Aunónoma de México-Campus Juriquilla, Querétaro, Mexico
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Feng P, Guan Z, Yang X, Fang J. Impairments of ERK signal transduction in the brain in a rat model of depression induced by neonatal exposure of clomipramine. Brain Res 2003; 991:195-205. [PMID: 14575892 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2003.08.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Depression is associated with deficiencies in monoaminergic transmitters and possibly neurotrophins. A common cellular response to these molecules is the activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK). A deficiency of ERK signal transduction in depression was therefore hypothesized and was tested in a rat model of depression, produced by neonatal treatment with clomipramine (CLI). We measured sexual behaviors and brain levels of ERK, phosphorylated ERK (pERK), protein phosphatase 1 (PP1), and MAPK phosphatase-2 (MKP-2) during adulthood in control and neonatally CLI-treated rats (CLI rats). As expected, the CLI rats exhibited significantly lower sexual activities and also exhibited (1). significant decreases of pERK1/2 in the frontal cortex and pERK1 in the hippocampus, (2). slight but significant reduction of ERK2 in the frontal cortex and hippocampus, (3). no change of pERK1/2 levels in the temporal cortex, occipital cortex, parietal cortex, midbrain, and medulla, (4). significantly higher levels of PP1 in both the frontal cortex and hippocampus, (5). no change in MKP-2 in any examined region, and (6). all five measures of sexual function were significantly correlated with ERK2 and pERK2 in the frontal cortex. These findings suggest that a deficiency in the ERK signaling pathway is involved in the display of depressive behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pingfu Feng
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30306, USA.
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Sumich AL, Kumari V, Sharma T. Neuroimaging of sexual arousal: research and clinical utility. HOSPITAL MEDICINE (LONDON, ENGLAND : 1998) 2003; 64:28-33. [PMID: 12572332 DOI: 10.12968/hosp.2003.64.1.2378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
The treatment of sexual dysfunction or deviancy requires an understanding of the underlying neural substrates. Neuroimaging techniques offer insight into brain regions involved in sexual arousal and inhibition. The development of robust paradigms has implications for the assessment and treatment of sexual disorder in men and women.
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Affiliation(s)
- A L Sumich
- Division of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, London SE5 8AF
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Sura A, Overstreet DH, Marson L. Selectively bred male rat lines differ in naïve and experienced sexual behavior. Physiol Behav 2001; 72:13-20. [PMID: 11239976 DOI: 10.1016/s0031-9384(00)00300-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Ejaculatory behavior is facilitated by activating 5-hydroxytryptamine(1A) (5-HT(1A)) receptors. The present study examined male sexual behavior in rat lines that were selectively bred for their different hypothermic responses to 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin (8-OH-DPAT). Sexual behavior was examined in naïve and experienced HDS (high 8-OH-DPAT sensitive), LDS (low 8-OH-DPAT sensitive), and RDS (randomly bred) rats lines. In addition, the effects of 8-OH-DPAT (0.05 mg/kg) and N-(2-[4-(2-methoxyphenyl)-1-piperazinyl]ethyl)-N-(2-pyridinyl)-cyclohexane-carboxamide (WAY 100,635; 1 mg/kg) were examined. Naïve HDS animals had diminished ejaculatory behavior (as indicated by a decreased number of intromissions, mounts and ejaculations, increased ejaculation and intromission latency, and longer inter-copulatory interval), compared to the LDS and RDS groups. In addition, the post-ejaculatory interval (PEI) was longer in the HDS group. With experience, the HDS group improved its ejaculatory behavior. Experienced HDS animals had a lower number of intromissions and a longer PEI compared to the LDS group. 8-OH-DPAT facilitated ejaculatory behavior in both HDS and LDS groups. This effect was more pronounced in the LDS group. WAY 100,635 did not alter sexual behavior in either group. In summary, alteration in forebrain 5-HT(1A) receptors in HDS animals may be involved in the ability of naïve rats to achieve ejaculation. 5-HT(1A) receptors are involved in the regulation of resumption of sexual behavior after ejaculation.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Sura
- Department of Urology, University of North Carolina, 451 Burnett-Womack Building, CB #7235, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
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Abstract
The neural and endocrine bases of the generation of thirst are reviewed. Based on this review, a hierarchical system of neural structures that regulate water conservation and acquisition is proposed. The system includes primary sensory-receptive areas; secondary sensory structures (circumventricular organs), which detect levels of hormones, including angiotensin II and vasopressin, which are involved in generating thirst; preoptic and hypothalamic structures; and an area within the ventrolateral quadrant of the periaqueductal gray matter. Hodological and other data are used to determine the hierarchical organization of the system. Based on studies of the effects of lesions to various structures within the hierarchy of the system, it is proposed that the awareness of thirst in rodents is either entirely or predominantly due to neuronal activities in a subsection of the ventrolateral periaqueductal gray matter. It is also hypothesized that the awareness of thirst in primates is due to neuronal activities in both the ventrolateral periaqueductal gray and in a region within the medial prefrontal and anterior cingulate cortex.
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Affiliation(s)
- T V Sewards
- Sandia Research Center, Placitas, 87043, New Mexico.
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Tang Y, Rampin O, Giuliano F, Ugolini G. Spinal and brain circuits to motoneurons of the bulbospongiosus muscle: Retrograde transneuronal tracing with rabies virus. J Comp Neurol 1999. [DOI: 10.1002/(sici)1096-9861(19991115)414:2<167::aid-cne3>3.0.co;2-p] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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Agmo A, Villalpando A. Central nervous stimulants facilitate sexual behavior in male rats with medial prefrontal cortex lesions. Brain Res 1995; 696:187-93. [PMID: 8574668 DOI: 10.1016/0006-8993(95)00853-i] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Male rats with lesions of the cerebral cortex near the midline in the frontal region destroying most of the cingulate cortex and producing some damage to adjacent frontal areas have very long mount and intromission latencies. Otherwise their sexual behavior is essentially normal. The dopamine releasers amfonelic acid, 0.5 mg/kg, and amphetamine, 1 mg/kg, reduced the mount and intromission latencies in males with such lesions. Caffeine, 30 mg/kg, had similar effects. None of the drugs modified sexual behavior in intact males. It has been suggested that medial prefrontal lesions reduce the animal's reactivity to environmental stimuli, and hence renders the activation of sexual behavior difficult. Present results show that stimulant drugs are capable of compensating for this reduced reactivity. The possible mechanisms behind this effect are discussed. The lesion had also a small but consistent effect on the intromission ratio, suggesting some motor impairment. The effect on intromission ratio was not reduced by the drugs, suggesting that the lesion's motor consequences are mediated by mechanisms different from those controlling behavioral reactivity. The noradrenaline precursor dl-threo-dihydroxyphenylserine, 10 mg/kg, in combination with carbidopa, 50 mg/kg, increased mount and intromission latencies in both intact and lesioned males. Thus, activation of noradrenergic neurotransmission had effects opposite to those found after activation of dopaminergic transmission. Noradrenergic stimulation cannot, therefore, be important for the effects of amphetamine or amfonelic acid.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Agmo
- Department of Psychology, Universidad Anáhuac, Mexico City, Mexico
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