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Karigo T, Deutsch D. Flexibility of neural circuits regulating mating behaviors in mice and flies. Front Neural Circuits 2022; 16:949781. [PMID: 36426135 PMCID: PMC9679785 DOI: 10.3389/fncir.2022.949781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Mating is essential for the reproduction of animal species. As mating behaviors are high-risk and energy-consuming processes, it is critical for animals to make adaptive mating decisions. This includes not only finding a suitable mate, but also adapting mating behaviors to the animal's needs and environmental conditions. Internal needs include physical states (e.g., hunger) and emotional states (e.g., fear), while external conditions include both social cues (e.g., the existence of predators or rivals) and non-social factors (e.g., food availability). With recent advances in behavioral neuroscience, we are now beginning to understand the neural basis of mating behaviors, particularly in genetic model organisms such as mice and flies. However, how internal and external factors are integrated by the nervous system to enable adaptive mating-related decision-making in a state- and context-dependent manner is less well understood. In this article, we review recent knowledge regarding the neural basis of flexible mating behaviors from studies of flies and mice. By contrasting the knowledge derived from these two evolutionarily distant model organisms, we discuss potential conserved and divergent neural mechanisms involved in the control of flexible mating behaviors in invertebrate and vertebrate brains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomomi Karigo
- Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, United States,The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States,*Correspondence: Tomomi Karigo,
| | - David Deutsch
- Sagol Department of Neurobiology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel,David Deutsch,
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Micevych PE, Sinchak K. Extranuclear signaling by ovarian steroids in the regulation of sexual receptivity. Horm Behav 2018; 104:4-14. [PMID: 29753716 PMCID: PMC6240501 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2018.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2018] [Revised: 05/02/2018] [Accepted: 05/03/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Paul E Micevych
- Dept of Neurobiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology of the UCLA Brain Research Institute, United States
| | - Kevin Sinchak
- Dept of Biological Sciences, California State University, Long Beach, United States.
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Long N, Long B, Mana A, Le D, Nguyen L, Chokr S, Sinchak K. Tamoxifen and ICI 182,780 activate hypothalamic G protein-coupled estrogen receptor 1 to rapidly facilitate lordosis in female rats. Horm Behav 2017; 89:98-103. [PMID: 28063803 PMCID: PMC5359066 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2016.12.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2016] [Revised: 12/02/2016] [Accepted: 12/20/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
In the female rat, sexual receptivity (lordosis) can be facilitated by sequential activation of estrogen receptor (ER) α and G protein-coupled estrogen receptor 1 (GPER) by estradiol. In the estradiol benzoate (EB) primed ovariectomized (OVX) rat, EB initially binds to ERα in the plasma membrane that complexes with and transactivates metabotropic glutamate receptor 1a to activate β-endorphin neurons in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus (ARH) that project to the medial preoptic nucleus (MPN). This activates MPN μ-opioid receptors (MOP), inhibiting lordosis. Infusion of non-esterified 17β-estradiol into the ARH rapidly reduces MPN MOP activation and facilitates lordosis via GPER. Tamoxifen (TAM) and ICI 182,780 (ICI) are selective estrogen receptor modulators that activate GPER. Therefore, we tested the hypothesis that TAM and ICI rapidly facilitate lordosis via activation of GPER in the ARH. Our first experiment demonstrated that injection of TAM intraperitoneal, or ICI into the lateral ventricle, deactivated MPN MOP and facilitated lordosis in EB-primed rats. We then tested whether TAM and ICI were acting rapidly through a GPER dependent pathway in the ARH. In EB-primed rats, ARH infusion of either TAM or ICI facilitated lordosis and reduced MPN MOP activation within 30min compared to controls. These effects were blocked by pretreatment with the GPER antagonist, G15. Our findings demonstrate that TAM and ICI deactivate MPN MOP and facilitate lordosis in a GPER dependent manner. Thus, TAM and ICI may activate GPER in the CNS to produce estrogenic actions in neural circuits that modulate physiology and behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan Long
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State University, Long Beach, Long Beach, CA, United States
| | - Bertha Long
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State University, Long Beach, Long Beach, CA, United States
| | - Asma Mana
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State University, Long Beach, Long Beach, CA, United States
| | - Dream Le
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State University, Long Beach, Long Beach, CA, United States
| | - Lam Nguyen
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State University, Long Beach, Long Beach, CA, United States
| | - Sima Chokr
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State University, Long Beach, Long Beach, CA, United States
| | - Kevin Sinchak
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State University, Long Beach, Long Beach, CA, United States.
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Micevych PE, Wong AM, Mittelman-Smith MA. Estradiol Membrane-Initiated Signaling and Female Reproduction. Compr Physiol 2016; 5:1211-22. [PMID: 26140715 DOI: 10.1002/cphy.c140056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The discoveries of rapid, membrane-initiated steroid actions and central nervous system steroidogenesis have changed our understanding of the neuroendocrinology of reproduction. Classical nuclear actions of estradiol and progesterone steroids affecting transcription are essential. However, with the discoveries of membrane-associated steroid receptors, it is becoming clear that estradiol and progesterone have neurotransmitter-like actions activating intracellular events. Ultimately, membrane-initiated actions can influence transcription. Estradiol membrane-initiated signaling (EMS) modulates female sexual receptivity and estrogen feedback regulating the luteinizing hormone (LH) surge. In the arcuate nucleus, EMS activates a lordosis-regulating circuit that extends to the medial preoptic nucleus and subsequently to the ventromedial nucleus (VMH)--the output from the limbic and hypothalamic regions. Here, we discuss how EMS leads to an active inhibition of lordosis behavior. To stimulate ovulation, EMS facilitates astrocyte synthesis of progesterone (neuroP) in the hypothalamus. Regulation of GnRH release driving the LH surge is dependent on estradiol-sensitive kisspeptin (Kiss1) expression in the rostral periventricular nucleus of the third ventricle (RP3V). NeuroP activation of the LH surge depends on Kiss1, but the specifics of signaling have not been well elucidated. RP3V Kiss1 neurons appear to integrate estradiol and progesterone information which feeds back onto GnRH neurons to stimulate the LH surge. In a second population of Kiss1 neurons, estradiol suppresses the surge but maintains tonic LH release, another critical component of the estrous cycle. Together, evidence suggests that regulation of reproduction involves membrane action of steroids, some of which are synthesized in the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul E Micevych
- UCLA - David Geffen School of Medicine Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Angela May Wong
- UCLA - David Geffen School of Medicine Los Angeles, California, USA
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Cruz WS, Pereira LA, Cezar LC, Camarini R, Felicio LF, Bernardi MM, Teodorov E. Role of steroid hormones and morphine treatment in the modulation of opioid receptor gene expression in brain structures in the female rat. SPRINGERPLUS 2015; 4:355. [PMID: 26191482 PMCID: PMC4503706 DOI: 10.1186/s40064-015-1021-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2015] [Accepted: 05/11/2015] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
This study determined the effects of acute treatment with morphine on the expression of the Oprm1, Oprk1, and Oprd1 genes (which encode μ, κ, and δ receptors, respectively) in the striatum, hypothalamus, and periaqueductal gray (PAG) in ovariectomized female rats treated with estrogen. Ovariectomized female rats were divided into five equal groups. Two groups received estrogen (50 µg/kg, 54 h before testing) and saline (ES group) or 3.5 mg/kg morphine (EM group) 2 h before euthanasia. The SS group received saline solution 54 and 2 h before the experiments. The SM group received saline 54 h and 3.5 mg/kg morphine 2 h before the experiments. The W group remained undisturbed. The genes expression were evaluated. Oprm1 and Oprk1 expression were activated, respectively, in the hypothalamus and PAG and in the striatum and PAG by morphine only in estrogen-treated animals. Oprd1 expression in the hypothalamus and PAG was activated by morphine in both estrogen-treated and -nontreated animals. The Oprm1 and Oprk1 gene response to morphine might depend on estrogen, whereas the Oprd1 gene response to morphine might not depend on estrogen, supporting the hypothesis of a functional role for ovarian hormones in opioid receptor-mediated functional adaptations in the female brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wesley Soares Cruz
- Instituto de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Paulista, UNIP, Dr. Bacelar, São Paulo, CEP 04026-002 Brazil
| | - Lucas Assis Pereira
- Instituto de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Paulista, UNIP, Dr. Bacelar, São Paulo, CEP 04026-002 Brazil
| | - Luana Carvalho Cezar
- Instituto de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Paulista, UNIP, Dr. Bacelar, São Paulo, CEP 04026-002 Brazil
| | - Rosana Camarini
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes 2415, Cidade Universitária, SP CEP 05508-900 Brazil
| | - Luciano Freitas Felicio
- Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Prof. Dr. Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, Cidade Universitária, CEP 05508 270 Brazil
| | - Maria Martha Bernardi
- Instituto de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Paulista, UNIP, Dr. Bacelar, São Paulo, CEP 04026-002 Brazil ; Centro de Matemática, Computação e Cognição, Universidade Federal do ABC, Av. Dos Estados, 5001, Santo André, CEP 09210-971 Brazil ; Av dos Estados, 5001, Santo André, SP CEP 09210-970 Brazil
| | - Elizabeth Teodorov
- Centro de Matemática, Computação e Cognição, Universidade Federal do ABC, Av. Dos Estados, 5001, Santo André, CEP 09210-971 Brazil
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Neural mechanisms of female sexual behavior in the rat; comparison with male ejaculatory control. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2014; 121:16-30. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2013.11.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2013] [Revised: 11/12/2013] [Accepted: 11/18/2013] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
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Micevych P, Christensen A. Membrane-initiated estradiol actions mediate structural plasticity and reproduction. Front Neuroendocrinol 2012; 33:331-41. [PMID: 22828999 PMCID: PMC3496015 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2012.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2012] [Revised: 07/11/2012] [Accepted: 07/13/2012] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Over the years, our ideas about estrogen signaling have greatly expanded. In addition to estradiol having direct nuclear actions that mediate transcription and translation, more recent experiments have demonstrated membrane-initiated signaling. Both direct nuclear and estradiol membrane signaling can be mediated by the classical estrogen receptors, ERα and ERβ, which are two of the numerous putative membrane estrogen receptors. Thus far, however, only ERα has been shown to play a prominent role in regulating female reproduction and sexual behavior. Because ERα is a ligand-gated transcription factor and not a typical membrane receptor, trafficking to the cell membrane requires post-translational modifications. Two necessary modifications are palmitoylation and association with caveolins, a family of scaffolding proteins. In addition to their role in trafficking, caveolin proteins also serve to determine ERα interactions with metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs). It is through these complexes that ERα, which cannot by itself activate G proteins, is able to initiate intracellular signaling. Various combinations of ERα-mGluR interactions have been demonstrated throughout the nervous system from hippocampus to striatum to hypothalamus to dorsal root ganglion (DRG) in both neurons and astrocytes. These combinations of ER and mGluR allow estradiol to have both facilitative and inhibitory actions in neurons. In hypothalamic astrocytes, the estradiol-mediated release of intracellular calcium stores regulating neurosteroid synthesis requires ERα-mGluR1a interaction. In terms of estradiol regulation of female sexual receptivity, activation of ERα-mGluR1a signaling complex leads to the release of neurotransmitters and alteration of neuronal morphology. This review will examine estradiol membrane signaling (EMS) activating a limbic-hypothalamic lordosis regulating circuit, which involves ERα trafficking, internalization, and modifications of neuronal morphology in a circuit that underlies female sexual receptivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Micevych
- Department of Neurobiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1763, United States.
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8
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Spiteri T, Ogawa S, Musatov S, Pfaff DW, Ågmo A. The role of the estrogen receptor α in the medial preoptic area in sexual incentive motivation, proceptivity and receptivity, anxiety, and wheel running in female rats. Behav Brain Res 2012; 230:11-20. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2012.01.048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2011] [Revised: 01/23/2012] [Accepted: 01/24/2012] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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Burnett AL, Goldstein I, Andersson KE, Argiolas A, Christ G, Park K, Xin ZC. Future sexual medicine physiological treatment targets. J Sex Med 2011; 7:3269-304. [PMID: 21029380 DOI: 10.1111/j.1743-6109.2010.02025.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Sexual function in men and women incorporates physiologic processes and regulation of the central and peripheral nervous systems, the vascular system, and the endocrine system. There is need for state-of-the-art information as there is an evolving research understanding of the underlying molecular biological factors and mechanisms governing sexual physiologic functions. AIM To develop an evidence-based, state-of-the-art consensus report on the current knowledge of the major cellular and molecular targets of biologic systems responsible for sexual physiologic function. METHODS State-of-the-art knowledge representing the opinions of seven experts from four countries was developed in a consensus process over a 2-year period. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Expert opinion was based on the grading of evidence-based medical literature, widespread internal committee discussion, public presentation, and debate. RESULTS Scientific investigation in this field is needed to increase knowledge and foster development of the future line of treatments for all forms of biological-based sexual dysfunction. This article addresses the current knowledge of the major cellular and molecular targets of biological systems responsible for sexual physiologic function. Future treatment targets include growth factor therapy, gene therapy, stem and cell-based therapies, and regenerative medicine. CONCLUSIONS Scientific discovery is critically important for developing new and increasingly effective treatments in sexual medicine. Broad physiologic directions should be vigorously explored and considered for future management of sexual disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arthur L Burnett
- The James Buchanan Brady Urological Institute, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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10
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Woods JK, Deviche P, Corbitt C. Opioid receptor densities analyzed across seasons in the POM and VTA of the dark-eyed junco, Junco hyemalis. J Chem Neuroanat 2010; 40:123-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jchemneu.2010.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2009] [Revised: 05/03/2010] [Accepted: 05/04/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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Leibowitz SF, Akabayashi A, Alexander J, Karatayev O, Chang GQ. Puberty onset in female rats: relationship with fat intake, ovarian steroids and the peptides, galanin and enkephalin, in the paraventricular and medial preoptic nuclei. J Neuroendocrinol 2009; 21:538-49. [PMID: 19500224 PMCID: PMC2782789 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2826.2009.01870.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Puberty is a time of rapid change, including a marked increase in fat consumption and body fat accrual, particularly in females. The mechanisms underlying these changes are unknown. Building on the results obtained in adult rats, the present study in pubertal rats focused on the orexigenic peptides, galanin (GAL) and enkephalin (ENK), in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) and medial preoptic nucleus (MPN), which are known to be responsive to female steroids and have a role in both energy balance and reproductive function. The present study examined female rats maintained on pure macronutrient diets from before weaning (day 15) to day 70. After an initial burst in protein intake (days 21-35), rats showed an increase, specifically in preference for fat, from 15% to 30%. In rats examined at different ages before (day 30) and after (days 45 and 60) puberty, this rise in fat intake was associated with a marked increase, from days 30-45, in levels of oestradiol and progesterone and in GAL and ENK mRNA or peptide levels, specifically in the PVN and MPN, but not other hypothalamic areas examined. This positive relationship with increased fat intake, steroids and peptides across ages was also observed when comparing pubertal rats that naturally preferred fat (> 25% of total diet) with those consuming little fat (< 15%) or rats that reached puberty at an early age (days 30-34) with those that were late (days 37-40). These rats with early puberty onset exhibited a strong fat preference 3-4 days before vaginal opening, which was positively related to steroid levels, GAL, fat intake and body fat accrual after puberty. These findings suggest that, in addition to providing a signal for puberty onset, early fat ingestion acting through mechanisms involving the steroids and orexigenic peptides may be related to long-term patterns of eating and body weight regulation.
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Chadha HK, Hubscher CH. Convergence of nociceptive information in the forebrain of female rats: reproductive organ response variations with stage of estrus. Exp Neurol 2007; 210:375-87. [PMID: 18096159 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2007.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2007] [Revised: 11/12/2007] [Accepted: 11/13/2007] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Neurons in the preoptic area (POA) of the hypothalamus and the bed nucleus of stria terminalis (BST) play an important role in the neuroendocrine control of the reproductive cycle, mating behaviors and nociception. Single unit extracellular recordings were performed in the POA and BST region of 20 urethane anesthetized female rats during either the proestrus (elevated levels of estrogen/progesterone) or metestrus (low circulating hormones) stage of the estrous cycle. A total of 118 neurons in the POA and 65 neurons in the BST responded to the search stimuli, bilateral electrical stimulation of the viscerocutaneous branch of the pelvic nerve and/or sensory branch of the pudendal nerve (i.e., dorsal nerve of clitoris). Most of the neurons responding to the electrical search stimuli received a high degree of somatovisceral convergence, including inputs from the abdominal branches of the vagus, cervix, vagina, colon and skin territories on the perineum and trunk. Mean neuronal response thresholds for vaginal and cervical stimulation but not colon distention were significantly higher for animals tested during proestrus. Also, there was a shift in POA and BST neuronal responsiveness towards more inhibition and less excitation during proestrus for a variety of somatovisceral inputs. These data demonstrate that the changes in hormonal status affect the properties of POA and BST neurons, which likely relates not only to the functional importance of these inputs for reproductive behaviors but also for nociceptive processing as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harpreet K Chadha
- Department of Anatomical Sciences and Neurobiology, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40292, USA
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Sinchak K, Dewing P, Cook M, Micevych P. Release of orphanin FQ/nociceptin in the medial preoptic nucleus and ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus facilitates lordosis. Horm Behav 2007; 51:406-12. [PMID: 17274997 PMCID: PMC1865518 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2006.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2006] [Revised: 11/22/2006] [Accepted: 12/13/2006] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Opioid regulation of reproduction has been widely studied. However, the role of opioid receptor-like 1 receptor (NOP; also referred to as ORL-1 and OP4) and its endogenous ligand orphanin FQ/nociceptin (OFQ/N) have received less attention despite their extensive distribution throughout nuclei of the limbic-hypothalamic system, a circuit that regulates reproductive behavior in the female rat. Significantly, the expression of both receptor and ligand is regulated in a number of these nuclei by estradiol and progesterone. Activation of NOP in the ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus (VMH) of estradiol-primed nonreceptive female rats facilitates lordosis. NOPs are also expressed in the medial preoptic nucleus (MPN), however, their roles in reproductive behavior have not been studied. The present experiments examined the role of NOP in the regulation of lordosis in the MPN and tested whether endogenous OFQ/N in the MPN and VMH mediates reproductive behavior. Activation of NOP by microinfusion of OFQ/N in the MPN facilitated lordosis in estradiol-primed sexually nonreceptive female rats. Passive immunoneutralization of OFQ/N in either the MPN or the VMH reduced lordosis in estradiol-primed females, but had no effect on lordosis in estradiol+progesterone-primed sexually receptive rats. These studies suggest that OFQ/N has a central role in estradiol-only induced sexual receptivity, and that progesterone appears to involve additional circuits that mediate estradiol+progesterone sexual receptivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Sinchak
- Department of Neurobiology, Mental Retardation Research Center and Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology, Brain Research Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1763, USA.
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Acosta-Martínez M, Gonzalez-Flores O, Etgen AM. The role of progestin receptors and the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway in delta opioid receptor facilitation of female reproductive behaviors. Horm Behav 2006; 49:458-62. [PMID: 16289112 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2005.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2005] [Revised: 09/14/2005] [Accepted: 10/10/2005] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The present study investigated the role of the progestin receptor (PR) and the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway in the facilitation of lordosis behavior by the delta opioid receptor agonist [D-Pen(2), D-Pen(5)]-enkephalin (DPDPE). Ovariectomized, estrogen-primed rats were treated with the PR antagonist RU486 or the MAPK inhibitor PD98059 prior to intraventricular (icv) infusion of DPDPE. Both RU486 and PD98059 blocked receptive and proceptive behaviors induced by DPDPE at 60 min, and RU486 continued to inhibit estrous behavior at 90 min. Because delta opioid receptors can activate the p42/44 MAPKs, extracellular signal regulated kinases (ERK), we determined the effects of DPDPE on ERK phosphorylation. Icv infusion of DPDPE increased the levels of phosphorylated ERK in the hypothalamus and preoptic area of female rats, assessed by immunoblotting. These results support the participation of the PR and the MAPK pathway in the facilitation of lordosis behavior by delta opioid receptors.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Enkephalin, D-Penicillamine (2,5)-/administration & dosage
- Enzyme Inhibitors/administration & dosage
- Female
- Flavonoids/administration & dosage
- Hormone Antagonists/administration & dosage
- Injections, Intraventricular
- Male
- Mifepristone/administration & dosage
- Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases/metabolism
- Neurotransmitter Agents/administration & dosage
- Phosphorylation
- Posture/physiology
- Rats
- Rats, Sprague-Dawley
- Receptors, Opioid, delta/drug effects
- Receptors, Opioid, delta/metabolism
- Receptors, Progesterone/metabolism
- Second Messenger Systems/drug effects
- Second Messenger Systems/physiology
- Sexual Behavior, Animal/drug effects
- Sexual Behavior, Animal/physiology
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Affiliation(s)
- Maricedes Acosta-Martínez
- Department of Neuroscience F113, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Avenue, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
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Abstract
This paper is the 27th consecutive installment of the annual review of research concerning the endogenous opioid system, now spanning over 30 years of research. It summarizes papers published during 2004 that studied the behavioral effects of molecular, pharmacological and genetic manipulation of opioid peptides, opioid receptors, opioid agonists and opioid antagonists. The particular topics that continue to be covered include the molecular-biochemical effects and neurochemical localization studies of endogenous opioids and their receptors related to behavior, and the roles of these opioid peptides and receptors in pain and analgesia; stress and social status; tolerance and dependence; learning and memory; eating and drinking; alcohol and drugs of abuse; sexual activity and hormones, pregnancy, development and endocrinology; mental illness and mood; seizures and neurologic disorders; electrical-related activity and neurophysiology; general activity and locomotion; gastrointestinal, renal and hepatic functions; cardiovascular responses; respiration and thermoregulation; and immunological responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard J Bodnar
- Department of Psychology and Neuropsychology Doctoral Sub-Program, Queens College, City University of New York, Flushing, NY 11367, USA.
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Sinchak K, Shahedi K, Dewing P, Micevych P. Sexual receptivity is reduced in the female mu-opioid receptor knockout mouse. Neuroreport 2005; 16:1697-700. [PMID: 16189480 DOI: 10.1097/01.wnr.0000181585.49130.93] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Activation of mu-opioid receptors is critical to steroid regulation of female sexual behavior, lordosis, in rodents. Estrogen treatment activates mu-opioid receptors in the medial preoptic area inhibiting lordosis, but ultimately appears important for progesterone facilitation of lordosis. We investigated the role of mu-opioid receptors in the expression of sexual receptivity in mice lacking mu-opioid receptors. Although estrogen and progesterone facilitated lordosis in mu-opioid receptor knockout mice, they exhibited deficits in lordosis quotient and score compared with wild-type females, indicating reduced sexual receptivity. In contrast, wild-type and mu-opioid receptor knockout female mice did not differ in either active or passive avoidance of the male. These data are most consistent with the hypothesis that mu-opioid receptor activation is necessary for estrogen and progesterone to maximally facilitate lordosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Sinchak
- Department of Neurobiology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California at Los Angeles, USA.
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