Effects of intracranial implants of dihydrotestosterone on the reproductive physiology and behavior of male guinea pigs.
An experiment was conducted to determine whether the intracranial application of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a nonaromatizable androgen, would stimulate male guinea pig mating. Of three castrate groups studied, one was a control group in which subjects were implanted both in the medial preoptic area (MPOA) and under the skin with cannulae containing cholesterol (NoDHT). Males in one of the experimental groups received implants of cholesterol in the MPOA plus subcutaneous implants containing DHT (ScDHT). Members of the other experimental group were subcutaneously implanted with cholesterol and simultaneously given intracranial implants of DHT (IcDHT). Compared to either the NoDHT control group of the ScDHT experimental group, greater numbers of males in the IcDHT group displayed mounts (P less than 0.01), intromissions (P less than 0.01), and ejaculations (P less than 0.001). Additionally, the hypothalamic implants of DHT had no significant effects on peripheral target tissues. These data indicate that androgenic stimulation of the guinea pig brain is sufficient to activate masculine sexual behavior in this species.
Butera
P C
PC
Department of Psychology, Niagara University, New York 14109.
Czaja
J A
JA
D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects*; D003307:Copulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D013196:Dihydrotestosterone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004343:Drug Implants; D004542:Ejaculation / Q000187:drug effects; D004822:Epididymis / Q000187:drug effects; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D011301:Preoptic Area / Q000187:drug effects; D011944:Receptors, Androgen / Q000187:drug effects; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects*
D004343:Drug Implants; D011944:Receptors, Androgen; D013196:Dihydrotestosterone