Pelvic neurectomy blocks oxytocin-facilitated sexual receptivity in rats.
The effect of bilateral pelvic, hypogastric, or pudendal neurectomy on oxytocin-induced facilitation of lordosis behavior was examined in ovariectomized, estrogen, and progesterone primed female rats. Oxytocin-induced facilitation of lordosis behavior was significantly decreased following bilateral pelvic, or combined bilateral pelvic and hypogastric neurectomy. Hypogastric only or pudendal only neurectomy had no effect on the facilitation of lordosis behavior after systemic administration of oxytocin. These results suggest that the integrity of the pelvic nerve is necessary and sufficient to mediate the stimulatory effects of systemically administered oxytocin on receptivity.
Moody
K M
KM
Institute of Neurological Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia.
Steinman
J L
JL
Komisaruk
B R
BR
Adler
N T
NT
D000344:Afferent Pathways / Q000187:drug effects; D000818:Animals; D003714:Denervation; D004958:Estradiol / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D007001:Hypogastric Plexus / Q000187:drug effects; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D008297:Male; D010121:Oxytocin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000187:drug effects*; D011374:Progesterone / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects*; D014590:Uterine Contraction / Q000187:drug effects*; D014599:Uterus / Q000294:innervation*
D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol; D010121:Oxytocin; C010452:estradiol-17 beta-benzoate