Effective intervals for the administration of estradiol pulses and the induction of sexual behavior in female rats.
The interval between two pulses of estradiol was varied and subsequent progesterone-facilitated female sexual behavior was observed. The total dose of estradiol (2 micrograms free estradiol) has been shown previously to elicit little receptivity when administered in a single pulse. In the present study, two pulses of 1.0 microgram free estradiol separated by anywhere from 3-36 hours induced high levels of progesterone-facilitated receptivity when observed 18 hours after the second estrogen pulse. Various intervals between the second estrogen pulse and the time of testing were also evaluated. Female rats tested at 18, 24 and 36 hours after the second estrogen pulse (plus progesterone) were highly receptive. These results raise new possibilities about the time course of cellular events underlying the estrogen induction of feminine sexual behavior.
D000818:Animals; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004958:Estradiol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects*
D004958:Estradiol