Role of descending monoaminergic neurons in the control of sexual behavior: effects of intrathecal infusions of 6-hydroxydopamine and 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine.
The present study concerns the possible participation of descending monoamine pathways in the control of sexual behavior. Male and female rats received micro-injections of the neurotoxins, 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) or 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine (5,7-DHT), in the spinal subarachnoid space, which were found to deplete spinal synaptosomal uptake of radiolabeled noradrenaline and serotonin to 46.7% and 34.5%, respectively. Whereas intrathecal 5,7-DHT did not affect sexual behavior appreciably, female 6-OHDA-treated rats showed less sexual receptivity and proceptivity when exposed to constant estradiol; similarly treated males had prolonged post-ejaculatory refractory periods and were more sensitive than controls to androgen deprivation.
D015116:5,7-Dihydroxytryptamine / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D001692:Biological Transport / Q000187:drug effects; D002369:Castration; D005260:Female; D006892:Hydroxydopamines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000378:metabolism*; D016627:Oxidopamine; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012701:Serotonin / Q000378:metabolism*; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects*; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000378:metabolism; D013574:Synaptosomes / Q000378:metabolism; D013739:Testosterone / Q000494:pharmacology
D006892:Hydroxydopamines; D015116:5,7-Dihydroxytryptamine; D012701:Serotonin; D013739:Testosterone; D016627:Oxidopamine; D009638:Norepinephrine